Emanuel Navarrete vs Denys Berinchyk – Results & Post-Fight Report

Emanuel Navarrete’s hopes of becoming a four-weight world champion went up in smoke at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, as he was defeated by Denys Berinchyk, who took the vacant WBO lightweight title with a split decision win that made it a double success on the night for Ukraine with Oleksandr Usyk’s win against Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia.

Navarrete (38-2-1, KO31) had held WBO titles from super bantamweight to super featherweight, but was coming off a draw with Robson Conceicao in his last contest before moving up in weight. Berinchyk (19-0, KO9) had reigned as European champion, last seen outscoring Anthony Yigiy in Poland last August.

The technically-sound Berinchyk managed to largely negate the threat of his opponent, out-landing Navarrete in the opening round. The Mexican did have his moments though, with an eye-catching left hook in round four rocking the Ukrainian momentarily. Berinchyk started to turn the screw from the halfway mark, outworking Navarrete and out-landing the big puncher to seemingly steal a march in the contest. Navarrete was struggling to find any rhythm, and the tenth saw Berinchyk land with several left hands, and he also managed to find the success to take the penultimate frame. Both went for broke in the final session, and the bout went to the scorecards, where some rounds were difficult to score, and that reflected in the tallies.

One judge had it 116-112 in Navarrete’s favour, but scores of 116-112 and 115-113 gave Berinchyk the title.

On the undercard, Brian Norman Jr (26-0, KO20) claimed the WBO interim title at welterweight, taking a tenth round win against Giovani Santillan (32-1, KO17). Norman was well ahead at the time of the conclusion, and a massive left hand screw shot has Santillan down and out.

Richard Torrez Jr (10-0, KO10) kept his perfect record in tact, taking the NABF Junior heavyweight title by stopping Brandon Moore (14-1, KO8) in the fifth of their scheduled eight rounder.

Jonathan Lopez (15-0, KO11) also stayed unbeaten, leaving it until the last round of eight to see off Edgar Ortega (14-3-2, KO7) at featherweight. At lightweight, Alan Garcia (13-0, KO10) took all eight rounds against Wilfredo Flores (10-3-1, KO5).

In the sole six rounder, Emiliano Vargas (10-0, KO8) scored a final round stoppage against Angel Varela Urena (10-3, KO7).

In four round action, Art Barrera Jr (5-0, KO4) went the distance for the first time, taking a wide points win against Levy Josue Garcia Benitez (3-2-1, KO2) at super lightweight. Debutant Jonathan Mansour (1-0, KO0) won all four rounds on his lightweight clash with Anel Dudo (3-6, KO1).