Top Rank posted a statement on X tonight, reacting to the box of watermelons and bananas that an anonymous person had sent to Keyshawn Davis’ hotel room today ahead of his title challenge of WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk on Friday night, February 14th at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City.
Rumors on social media are that Teofimo Lopez was the mastermind behind it all, sending the complimentary fruit basket to Keyshawn’s room to mess with his head and make him go berserk during the press conference. Keyshawn certainly looked ready for a 72-hour psych hold at Bellevue. He looked like he needed to be medicated to calm him down.
(Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
Without having any proof of who sent the box, Keyshawn blamed Berinchyk during the press conference today, repeatedly calling him a “racist” and saying that he’s going to “whoop” him for it. Davis abused Berinchyk. Coming at him that way without proof was a bad look for Keyshawn, and it shouldn’t have happened. Some fans on social believe Keyshawn cooked up this whole scheme himself to generate fake hype so the boxing world talk about his fight, give him sympathy, and become fans.
The monitor of the press conference lost control, especially got up and got in the face of Berinchyk and his promoter, Alex Krassyuk. He was acting as if it was already a proven fact that they’d sent the box to him rather than guessing.
The housekeeping from the hotel delivered the box to Keyshawn’s room. They should have a video of whoever came to the hotel to give them the package unless it was from a courier service.
Top Rank’s Stance
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) February 13, 2025
“On Friday, Keyshawn will fight for his first world title. He takes on Denyks Berinchyk for the WBO 135-lb belt. I think Keyshawn is a special fighter, and I think we’re going to see a coming-out party for him in this fight. Will Keyshawn become a world champ in just his 13th pro fight?” said Chris Mannix on his YouTube channel about Keyshawn Davis’ title challenge against WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk.
“I don’t know if he’ll do it in his 13th pro fight,” said Sergio Mora. “Berinchyk is 36-years-old. If he was younger, I’d say, ‘Too soon.’ It’s a calculated risk by Davis. He’s hands down a future champion, and against Berinchyk, it’s the right choice.
“Berinchyk is a tricky fighter, a craft fighter. He switches from lefty to righty. He’s strong, but he’s not a power puncher. He has good timing, but he doesn’t have speed. So, all the advantages are with Keyshawn Davis. For this fight, I’m going to say it’s not too soon. For other champions, I would say, ahhh. He wants the big names.”
Obviously, Berinchyk has been well-vetted by Keyshawn and his Top Rank promoters for this fight. If Keyshawn had any doubts be would win, he’d avoid Berinchyk like he’s doing with Andy Cruz, a fighter who beat him four times in the amateurs. Still, it’s not certain that Keyshawn will win on Friday because Nahir Albright hurt him in a close fight, and he looked horrible in his foul-filled fight against Miguel Madueno. He turned into a wrestling match and got away with murder in terms of roughhouse tactics.
“He wants to beat Berinchyk and make a bunch of crappy title defenses? No,” said Mannix about Keyshawn wanting to capture the WBO title and then fight the big names, Gervonta Davis, Vasily Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez. He’s not interested in fighting Andy Cruz, who embarrassed him four times in the amateurs.
“You go for unifications after you’re a world champion. You don’t hide that belt. If a Tank Davis fight is available, you better believe Keyshawn is going to go for it. I like this fight for Keyshawn, too. Berinchyk is a good fighter, an Olympic [2012] silver medalist.
“He has some decent names on his resume. He beat Anthony Yigit. He beat Yvan Mendy and beat Emanuel Navarrete last time out, who was coming up in weight,” said Mannix.
Last Updated on 02/13/2025
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