Madison Square Garden in New York hosts world championship boxing this Friday evening, as Denys Berinchyk makes a first defence of his WBO lightweight title against talented prospect, Keyshawn Davis.
Top Rank promote Berinchyk vs Davis, and you can see the action live on Sky Sports in the UK, and ESPN+ in the USA.
Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KOs) has only fought three times since the end of 2021, but has made steps up each time, culminating in his world title win. The Ukrainian outscored Yvan Mendy at the end of 2022 to take the European title, and defended in a clear points win against Anthony Yigit in Poland in August 2023.
Berynchyk would then contest the vacant WBO lightweight title last May against the formidable Emanuel Navarrete, and he performed impressively, taking the belt with a split decision win.
Virginia-based Davis (12-0, 8 KOs) will be next up for Berinchyk, with the Matchroom-promoted ‘Businessman’ also taking gradual steps up in his most recent outings. 2024 saw Davis fight three times, beginning with a sixth round stoppage of former world champion Jose Pedraza in February, which was followed by a wide points win against Miguel Madueno in July.
Davis rounded off the year in November, dropping Gustavo Lemos three times on the way to a superb second round win.
Prediction: Davis has never been the championship distance, but looks a real talent, and I favour him to get the job done clearly here on the scorecards.
Denys Berinchyk and Keyshawn Davis exchange words during their first face-off of fight week.
[🎥 @trboxing] pic.twitter.com/n8aR812t6Q
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 11, 2025
Jared Anderson returns
Heavyweight hope Jared Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs) makes his comeback after suffering a first career loss last time out. ‘The Real Big Baby’ was halted in five by Martin Bakole last August, and his return is a gentle one, where he should be an early winner against Sweden-based Greek, Marios Kollias (12-3-1, 10 KOs).
Xayas steps up against Spomer
Xander Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) banked two ten round wins in 2024, and the Puerto Rican super welterweight can come out a points winner again in his meeting with fellow unbeaten, Slawa Spomer (20-0, 11 KOs).
Further undercard preview
At welterweight, Rohan Polanco (14-0, 9 KOs) can get the job done early against Jean Carlos Torres (22-1, 17 KOs), and at middleweight, Vito Mielnicki Jr (20-1, 12 KOs) may need the distance to get the nod against the unbeaten Connor Coyle (21-0, 9 KOs) of Northern Ireland.
In eight rounders, Cleveland lightweight Abdullah Mason (16-0, 14 KOs) remains at eight round level, and he should be able to halt Manuel Jaimes (16-2-1, 11 KOs), who took Rolando Romero ten rounds in his last fight. Welterweight Delante Johnson (14-0, 6 KOs) should be a points victor against Quashawn Toler (17-3, 12 KOs).
Sharper than ever @AbdullahMason_ 😳 pic.twitter.com/123I1WA7gX
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) February 3, 2025
In six round action, Nico Ali Walsh (10-1, 5 KOs) can win on the cards against Juan Carlos Guerra Jr (5-1-1, 2 KOs) in their middleweight meeting.
At four-round level, Keon Davis (1-0, 0 KOs) can take a first inside schedule win against Ira Johnson (3-2, 2 KOs) at welterweight, and at super flyweight, debutant Juanma Lopez De Jesus should outscore Bryan Santiago (1-1-1, 0 KOs
