Keyshawn Davis vs. Denys Berinchyk’s title fight nearing completion for February 14

Keyshawn Davis’ title fight against WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk is scheduled for February 14 at the Garcia Hula Theater in Madison Square in New York. The theater has a capacity for 5,600 people.

That’s a place. Keyshawn recently boasted that he gathered a crowd of over 11,000 for his final fight against Gustavo Lemos on November 8 at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. This fight taking place in a smaller venue suggests that Top Rank wants more attention.

Norfolk isn’t exactly New York City when it comes to attracting global attention. The negative of the event taking place in New York is that if Keyshawn fails, as he did in the 2020 Olympics and as he almost did against Nahir Albright, his stock will plummet.

Mike Coppinger reports that Top Rank-promoted Keyshawn (12-0, 8 KOs) and Berinchyk (19-0, KOs) are close to finishing their February fight.

Berinchyk, a 2012 Olympic silver medalist, has recent victories over these fighters:

– Emanuel Navarrete
-Anthony Yigit
–Yvan Mendy

The way Berinchyk coached Navarrete had to have disappointed Top Rank because they put their biggest name on him, probably thinking he would win. He got exposed, and now it’s Keyshawn’s turn, and he’s not as big a star as Navarrete.

Promoter Eddie Hearn recently mentioned that he wants Berinchyk as a backup option if he can’t arrange a fight between WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and WBA champion Gervonta Davis in 2025. Top Rank teased Hearn and he’s putting his boy, Keyshawn, in with Berinchyk.

A fast track to the top

Keyshawn, 25, a three-year pro, is receiving a quick title shot from his promoters without having fought anyone who couldn’t win the bout. He preferred not to accept the challenge of his four-time conqueror. andy cruz of Cuba, who refers to Keyshawn as “My son” due to his multiple victories. When asked about the possibility of fighting Cruz, a 2020 Olympic gold medalist, Keyshawn dismissed it, feeling like he wasn’t on his level.

Interestingly, Top Rank is giving Davis a title shot before Raymond Muratallawho many fans consider to be better talented and much more entertaining to watch. Keyshawn is a mix of Shakur and George Kambosos with his fighting style. It’s not always entertaining.

“I think he’s more inclined to fight me,” Keyshawn said of Gervonta Davis. “He said in his own words that I look good out there. I look great. It is undeniable to the world what I am doing. I feel like a Davis vs. starter. Davis, that’s PPV in itself.

“I feel like this guy really wants to fight me. I feel like 2025 will be the year we see Davis vs. Davis. Just keep following us. Keep following our careers. My next fight is a big fight for my first world title.

“I personally still have a lot to prove, but 2025 should be important for ‘The Businessman.’ I think what impresses him the most is his knockouts,” Keyshawn said about what impresses him most about Tank Davis. “It has incredible power.

“Other than that, it shows that he has one-hit power to get you out of there, but everything else, I’ve seen it before, I would say. I feel like I’d give him his best fight next. I feel like I’m his weakness,” Keyshawn said when asked what Gervonta’s weakness is.

Berinchyk is a tough fight for Davis because he is a highly technical fighter, coming off a 12-round split decision victory over Emanuel Navarrete on May 18. If Keyshawn loses this fight, it will highlight Top Rank’s mistake in signing him instead of his conqueror, Andy Cruz, who repeatedly beat him like a drum in the fans.

Eyes on Gervonta

“Everything I do, what I come from my press conferences, from my weigh-ins, from my energy. I’m a younger fighter. My size. I feel like myself in general; The way I fight is his weakness,” Keyshawn said of Tank.

“Without a doubt, that is what we are going to do. February is the month I would say it will happen. It feels like New York,” Keyshawn said about when he will fight WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk.

“It’s going to be a great year.”

Keyshawn Davis details his plans for 2025 with @MarkKriegel 👀 #NavarreteValdez2 pic.twitter.com/rDwRwR7FVy

—ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) December 8, 2024