Why Keyshawn will lose to Berinchyk

Today, Keyshawn Davis took to social media to say that he will be “incredibly strong” on February 14 when he fights next. Davis (12-0, 8 KOs) is expected to challenge Denys Berinchyk for his WBO lightweight title at Madison Square Garden’s Hula Theater in New York.

Davis isn’t saying how he’ll be stronger because he’s not known as a puncher. He’s more of a boxer, and the guys he’s knocked out have mostly been middle-of-the-road fighters. Berinchyk is too talented to be outclassed by Davis, so it’s silly for him to focus on that angle to win this fight. Berinchyk has beaten many strong fighters during his many years in the amateur ranks.

Keyshawn chose not to face his friend, WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson, for his belt because he did not want to fight him. He believes he will defeat Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KOs) to capture his WBO belt and then use the title to fight Gervonta Davis and Vasily Lomachenko. Sounds like a pipe dream.

If Keyshawn gets the WBO belt, he’ll defend it against whatever little-known contender Top Rank can find for him, but it won’t be Tank or Loma. This is not happening.

The champion of the back door

These guys won’t fight Davis, but it’s not because they’re afraid of him. Both are heading into retirement and will focus on popular fighters that casual boxing fans have heard of. Keyshawn is completely unknown to casuals.

Top Rank was boosted by 2020 Olympic silver medalist Davis, who moved him to a title shot without his way, fighting top lightweight contenders such as Andy Cruz or Edwin De Los Santos. It is known as the ‘back door method’ that promoters use for fighters they don’t want to take a chance on.

If they believed Keyshawn, they would have tested him against Cruz and De Los Santos. They obviously know what could happen to Davis if he fought either of these two talents, and it wouldn’t be good for him. It would be a repeat of Keyshawn’s loss at the 2020 Olympics.

The next time I’m in that ring, I’m going to be incredibly strong.💪🏾 #14 of February⭐️

— Keyshawn Davis (@KeyshawnDavis8) January 3, 2025