Keyshawn Davis’ title fight against WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk is set for February 14 at the Madison Square Garcia Hula Theater in New York. The theater has a seating capacity of 5,600.
It’s a venue. Keyshawn recently boasted that he brought in a crowd of over 11,000 for his last fight against Gustavo Lemos on November 8 at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. This fight being held at 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 about the event being held in New York is that if Keyshawn fails, as he did in the 2020 Olympics and how he almost did against Nahir Albright, his stock will drop.
Mike Coppinger reports that top-ranked Keyshawn (12-0, 8 KOs) and Berinchyk (19-0, KOs) are close to their February fight.
2012 Olympic silver medalist Berinchyk has recent wins over these fighters:
– Emanuel Navarrete
– Anthony Yigit
– Yvan Mendy
The way Berinchyk schooled Navarrete must have disappointed the Top Rankings because they put their bigger name on him, probably thinking he would win. He’s been exposed, and now it’s Keyshawn’s turn, and he’s nowhere near as big a star as Navarrete.
Promoter Eddie Hearn recently mentioned that he wants Berinchyk as a backup option if he can’t get a fight between WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and WBA champion Gervonta Davis in 2025. with Berinchyk.
A quick cut to the top
Three-year professional Keyshawn, 25, is being given a quick title shot by his promoters without having to fight someone who can’t earn the match. He chose not to accept a challenge from his four-time victor Andy Cruz of Cuba, who refers to Keyshawn as “My son” because of his many victories. When asked about the possibility of fighting Olympic gold medalist Cruz in 2020, Keyshawn dismissed him as feeling that he was not on his level.
Interestingly, Top Rank is giving Davis a title shot Raymond Muratallawho many fans feel is a better talent 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 likely to fight me,” Keyshawn said of Gervonta Davis. “He said in his own words I looked good out there. I look great. It’s undeniable to the world I’m dealing with. I feel like a Davis vs Davis headline is PPV in itself.
“I feel like this guy actually wants to fight me. I feel like 2025 will be the year you see Davis vs. Davis will see. Just keep following us. Just 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 big for ‘The Businessman’. I think what impresses the most is his knockouts,” Keyshawn said about what impresses him most about Tank Davis. “He has incredible strength.
“Also, he shows that he has one-push power to get you out there, but everything else I’ve seen before, I’d say. I feel I will give him his best fight next. Me, I feel like I’m his weakness,” Keyshawn said when asked what Gervonta’s weakness is.
Berinchyk is a tough fight for Davis as he is a highly technical fighter, coming off a 12-round victory over Emanuel Navarrete on May 18th. If Keyshawn loses this fight, it will highlight Top Rank’s mistake in signing him rather than his victor, Andy Cruz, who repeatedly beat him like a drum in the amateurs.
Eyes on Gervonta
“Everything I do, with which I come from my press conferences, from my weighing in, from my energy. I am a younger fighter. My size. I just feel like me in general; how I fight is his weakness,” Keyshawn said of Tank.
“For sure, that’s what we’re going to do. February is the month I would say it will happen. It looks like New York,” Keyshawn said about when he will fight WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk.
“It’s going to be a big year.”
Keyshawn Davis details his plans going into 2025 @MarkKriegel 👀 #NavarreteValdez2 pic.twitter.com/rDwRwR7FVy
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) December 8, 2024
