Keyshawn Davis, among the hottest prospects in boxing, is preparing to challenge the undefeated Ukrainian and fellow Olympic silver medalist Denys Berinchyk for the WBO lightweight title on February 14 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Davis, 12-0 (8 KOs), for all of his amateur achievements recognises that Berinchyk, 19-0 (9 KOs), represents a different nature of opponent to which he had become accustomed. Both fighters can enhance their standing in one of the most competitive weight divisions in the world.
“Madison Square Garden is legendary,” said Davis, 25 years old and of Virginia. “And now that I’m fighting for my first world title there, it means even more.
“He’s undefeated, and nobody wants to lose their unbeaten record. He’s coming off his biggest win, which was against Emanuel Navarrete. He also has a lot more experience than I do. And this isn’t for a vacant title. I have to take it from him.
“I’ve never fought his style of boxing as a professional. It’s something new to me in professional boxing.
“I feel super strong. I feel motivated. I feel locked in. Nothing can steer me away from my goal of becoming a world champion on February 14.
“I can only think about my world title. But depending on how crazy I knock Berinchyk out, I’m going to be one of those big names that people are going to want to get in the ring with. I’d be putting myself down if I talk about fighting ‘big names’ because I can become one of those big names on February 14.”
Before Davis challenges the 36-year-old Berinchyk, Puerto Rico’s Xander Zayas fights Slawa Spomer of Germany at junior middleweight.
There is also a middleweight contest, between Vito Mielnicki Jnr and Ireland’s Connor Coyle, and the return of the heavyweight Jared Anderson, following his defeat by Martin Bakole, against Marios Kollias.
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