A Star is Born: Keyshawn Davis Captures First World Title
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Boxing’s lightweight division is arguably the sport’s most coveted weight class. It brands elite talent and big names within the sport, including Gervonta Davis, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and Shakur Stevenson. But, a new big name has entered the picture.
On Friday, February 14, Keyshawn Davis captured the WBO world lightweight title over Ukraine’s Denys Berinchyk.
WBO World Lightweight Championship
Denys Berinchyk (C) vs. Keyshawn Davis
Friday night’s clash was a battle between undefeated resumes and Olympic silver medalists. WBO world lightweight champion, Denys Berinchyk (19-1-0) had his hands full with the challenger, undefeated American Keyshawn Davis (13-0-0).
As predicted, Davis opened the championship bout with his sights set on his jab. He ultimately prioritized attacking Berinchyk’s body, which allowed the younger, more explosive fighter to hinder the champion’s footwork and movement. Overall, Berinchyk was overmatched regarding hand speed, power, and shot selection.
The 36-year-old Ukrainian tried to counter the speed of Davis. He aimed to reduce Davis’s power by initiating awkward clinches in the middle of the ring. The 25-year-old American Davis kept his composure and shook off Berinchyk’s efforts. In the third round, Davis scored the fight’s first knockdown. He delivered a picture-perfect left hook to the body of Berinchyk. The champion rose to his feet at the count of eight.
The smaller and older boxer struggled to find a rhythm inside the ring. He was consistently met with emphatic counter punches each time he entered the pocket. Davis seemed to have an answer for everything Berinchyk threw at him. He ended the round with a three-punch combination to the head of the Ukrainian.
Berinchyk reached his breaking point in the fourth round. Davis opened the round with calculated pressure. The American dictated the action, controlling the distance and providing quality counter punching. The champion returned to the clinch, hoping to avoid Davis’ power. The finishing sequence happened halfway through the fourth round. Davis put together an emphatic two-punch combination to the body of Berinchyk while in the clinch. This combination sent the champion to his knees as he could not beat the count.
Result: Keyshawn Davis via 4th-Round KO
Keyshawn’s Superstar Potential
Keyshawn Davis rose to the occasion in the most important fight of his life, and he passed the test with flying colors.
Now, Davis can shift his focus on the division’s other champions, such as Gervonta Davis, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and Shakur Stevenson. However, Stevenson seems to be off-limits, as he and Davis are good friends and stablemates. The two talented Olympic silver medalists are unlikely to cross paths inside the ring.
Big names like WBA champion, Gervonta Davis, and IBF champion, Vasiliy Lomachenko, are potential options. The 25-year-old aims to reign over the division, he took to the mic after his highlight-reel victory, stating, “There are two 135-pound champions I would love to fight. If they have the guts to step in the ring with ‘The Businessman,’ tell them to send me a contract. Or I can send them one.”
Davis’ god-given athleticism makes him a nightmare for any lightweight fighter, and he has serious superstar potential. His situation on Friday night arose because other big names have not been willing to organize the best fights. These tendencies have left a sour taste in the mouth of many fans and pundits. This is Davis’ chance to capitalize, though, because he can separate himself from the pack. By calling for the biggest and toughest fights possible, Keyshawn Davis can stand out in such a stacked weight class. He can also continue to impress audiences with jaw-dropping performances.
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