WBO world lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk is set to make the first defense of his title against undefeated challenger Keyshawn Davis in a Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+ main event Friday at New York’s Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KOs) stunned Emanuel Navarrete in a split decision for the vacant WBO lightweight crown last May. For his first title defense, the 36-year-old Ukrainian champion will play the role of underdog as he looks to derail the locomotive that is Davis.
Davis (12-0, 8 KOs) ascended to the WBO No. 1 ranking in less than four years as a professional. Now, Davis has an opportunity to announce himself as a force to be reckoned with in the pro ranks.
The 25-year-old Norfolk, Virginia, native is coming off his best career win, a second-round knockout of Gustavo Lemos last November. Davis, who showed he has plenty of power in both hands against Lemos, will face his toughest test yet in Berinchyk, ESPN’s No. 5 boxer at 135 pounds.
Also on the card:
Puerto Rican standout Xander Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs), the WBO No. 1 contender, faces fellow unbeaten fighter Slawa Spomer (20-0, 11 KOs) in a 10-round junior middleweight co-feature.
Vito “White Magic” Mielnicki Jr. (20-1, 12 KOs) looks to upend undefeated, world-ranked contender Connor “The Kid” Coyle (21-0, 9 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight clash.
Dominican-born welterweight contender Rohan Polanco (14-0, 9 KOs) takes on Puerto Rico’s Jean Carlos Torres (22-1, 17 KOs) in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds.
Rising lightweight Abdullah Mason (16-0, 14 KOs) will make his 2025 debut against Manuel Jaimes (16-2-1, 11 KOs).
Cleveland’s own Tiger Johnson (14-0, 6 KOs) faces Cincinnati native Quashawn Toler (17-3, 12 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight battle of Ohio.
Middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (11-1, 5 KOs), the grandson of Muhammad Ali, takes on Juan Carlos Guerra Jr. (5-1-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round bout.
Where can I watch the Berinchyk-Davis fight card?
Coverage begins Friday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Main card begins at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+.
Fans can catch all the action in the fight card’s streaming hub.
How can fans access more boxing content from ESPN?
Check out the ESPN boxing hub page for the latest news, analysis, schedules, rankings and more.
Source: espn.com