For the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, the moment of truth is fast approaching. This Friday, Keyshawn Davis will have the opportunity to fight for the WBO lightweight world title against the reigning champion, Ukrainian Denys Berinchyk. The event, promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank, will take place at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York and, in addition to Denys Berinchyk vs. Keyshawn Davis, will feature a stacked undercard, including the return of heavyweight contender Jared Anderson and appearances by talented prospects such as Xander Zayas, Rohan Polanco, and Abdullah Mason.
Denys Berinchyk: Footwork, Workrate, and Defense
When a fighter is not naturally blessed with significant punching power, they must compensate with other attributes to reach the pinnacle of boxing. Berinchyk is a perfect example of this type of athlete: his punches are not particularly explosive or devastating, yet he has managed to remain unbeaten in 19 professional fights and wrap a world title around his waist. He has done so primarily thanks to three key qualities: footwork, workrate, and defense.
In the ring, Berinchyk is in constant motion, attacking from unusual angles, switching stances unexpectedly, and disorienting opponents with his sudden movements. His pace remains relentless even as he nears his 37th birthday—just look at his title-winning fight against Navarrete, where he threw an incredible 732 punches. Lastly, his ability to block and deflect shots using his arms and gloves is well above average, making him a tricky target to hit cleanly.
Keyshawn Davis: From Doubts to Enthusiasm in Just Over a Year
After Keyshawn Davis’s bout against fellow American Nahir Albright in October 2023, many raised their eyebrows. While he deservedly won thanks to a far greater offensive output than his opponent, the Norfolk prospect struggled with his distance, frequently missed his target, and took a few too many shots in the later rounds. Adding to the frustration of that night was a positive test for marijuana, which, due to Texas regulations, stripped Davis of his victory and officially turned the fight into a No Contest.
However, the young fighter quickly got back on track, and in just over a year, both his morale and stock have skyrocketed thanks to three consecutive high-level wins. His most recent triumph was particularly impressive: facing the wild Argentine brawler Gustavo Lemos—who had given Richardson Hitchins a tough night seven months earlier in the super lightweight division—Davis dazzled the crowd with a brutal second-round knockout. Quite the statement ahead of his first world title shot.
Denys Berinchyk vs. Keyshawn Davis: What Will Happen? Boxe Punch’s Prediction!
Without taking anything away from Davis’s undeniable skills, it must be acknowledged that his last three opponents had styles that perfectly suited him, allowing him to showcase his best qualities. Both the battle-worn José Pedraza and the unsophisticated Miguel Madueno and Gustavo Lemos proved to be rather stationary targets, easy to bombard at will.
Against Berinchyk, however, it seems highly likely that the American will have to work much harder to land his explosive shots, as the Ukrainian won’t just stand in front of him, giving him time to load up his right hand, nor will he recklessly charge forward, exposing himself to danger.
The reigning champion will, as usual, look to cover miles in the ring, constantly changing direction and alternating between purely defensive movements and sudden offensive bursts. For the first time since his fight against Albright, Davis’s timing will truly be put to the test.
The American will need to be creative in finding ways to damage his experienced opponent and must remain composed, avoiding frustration if his combinations are repeatedly nullified by Berinchyk’s defensive skills and unorthodox movement.
However, while the Ukrainian seems well-equipped to absorb Davis’s assaults and limit the damage, turning the tables and producing enough effective offense to win a significant number of rounds could prove to be a much greater challenge for him.
Against Navarrete, Berinchyk benefited greatly from the fact that the Mexican is a poor counterpuncher—when attacked, he tends to absorb the impact before countering later, as hitting while retreating is not part of his skillset. Davis, on the other hand, possesses far sharper deterrents, which will make it risky and exhausting for Berinchyk to unleash his signature flurries on Friday night.
Personally, I believe the American challenger will have to earn his victory. I expect a tough fight in which Berinchyk’s experience, craftiness, and tactical intelligence could cause Davis some trouble at times, making him look less dominant than usual. However, Davis should ultimately be able to impose his superior explosiveness, wider offensive arsenal, and fresher athleticism, gaining the edge on the scorecards.
My prediction: Keyshawn Davis wins by unanimous decision after a challenging fight—one that should provide him with valuable experience for the future of his promising career.