Denys Berinchyk vs. Keyshawn Davis: Main Event Preview & Prediction
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On February 14th, undefeated Ukrainian WBO World Lightweight Champion, Denys Berinchyk (19-0-0) returns to defend his title. He takes on the undefeated American, Keyshawn Davis (12-0-0) inside the iconic Madison Square Garden. Excellent amateur pedigrees will clash in this fiery matchup on Friday as both men hold silver medals from their time in the Olympics, Berinchyk in 2012 and Davis in 2020.
Tale of the Tape
Berinchyk, 36, comes into this fight as a moderate betting underdog with +425 odds. These odds are shocking. In his last appearance in the ring, the Ukrainian achieved the most significant career win. He defeated Emanuel Navarrete via split decision for the WBO World Lightweight Title on May 18, 2024. Berinchyk prefers to fight orthodox, but can fight out of southpaw. Like his stablemates, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko, Berinchyk’s high-quality footwork presents the undefeated challenger problems. The WBO champion presents an awkward style for opponents to manage. He tries to close the distance with out-of-position punches that other fighters struggle to locate. His strong points center on his elite footwork, patience, toughness, and shot selection. One potential weakness in Berinchyk’s ability is his punching power. He holds a 47% knockout rate as a professional. His last earned stoppage happened back in March 2021 against Jose Sanchez.
Davis, 25, heads into the biggest fight of his career as a moderate betting favorite with -600 odds. These odds show the public’s evaluation of Davis already being a world-class boxer. Davis is noticeably bigger than Berinchyk in stature, as he is the naturally larger man. The 2020 Olympic Games silver medalist is a highly promising as a prospect. This is because of the combination of athleticism and skills he possesses. The Virginia native also comes from a prestigious stable, with coach Brian Bomac Mcintyre and mentor Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford. Davis has shown strides of growth as he matures and gains more experience. In the past, he has delivered jaw-dropping performances against Jose Pedraza and Gustavo Daniel Lemos. Davis’ stock rose exponentially after recently defeating Lemos via second-round KO on November 8, 2024. Davis’ power showed in this performance, as he dropped Lemos three times in the second round.
Fight Prediction
This matchup tells the story of the old, less athletic, slick boxer taking on the younger, more explosive talent. That said, the advantages that Davis holds in athleticism are crucial. His distance management and power will also majorly decide this title fight.
Expect both fighters to open the bout somewhat hesitant to commit to their shots. Both Davis and Berinchyk will be looking to gauge the distance and establish their jab early. Once they’re settled in, Davis will prioritize the bodywork as he can slow down the movement of the talented Ukrainian. As for Berinchyk, he will try to make this fight look ugly and awkward. He’ll try to close the distance and throw punches from unusual angles. The problem Berinchyk faces is the dangerous counter punches that Davis threatens. Davis will make use of his power, and his speed to manage Berinchyk’s frustrating entries. It is unclear how much punishment the 36-year-old champion can endure.
Prediction: Keyshawn Davis via Unanimous Decision or Late TKO
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