LAS VEGAS (Feb. 7, 2025) — “The Businessman” is ready to get down to the business of capturing a world title.
Keyshawn Davis, the latest fighting sensation from Norfolk, Virginia, will challenge undefeated Ukrainian and fellow Olympic silver medalist Denys Berinchyk for the WBO lightweight world title on Friday, Feb. 14, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Berinchyk-Keyshawn headlines an ESPN-televised tripleheader that features Xander Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) taking on fellow unbeaten Slawa Spomer (20-0, 11 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.
New Jersey-born middleweight Vito “White Magic” Mielnicki Jr. (20-1, 12 KOs) will open the broadcast in a 10-rounder versus Connor “The Kid” Coyle (21-0, 9 KOs).
Berinchyk-Keyshawn, Zayas-Spomer, and Mielnicki-Coyle will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with K2 Promotions and Queensberry Promotions, tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.
Davis (12-0, 8 KOs) transitioned from Tokyo Olympic silver medalist to elite contender in quick fashion, emerging as one of the sport’s brightest young stars. In February 2024, he dismantled two-division world champion Jose Pedraza over six one-sided rounds. Davis outclassed Mexican puncher Miguel Madueño across 10 in July and closed out the year with a statement-making second-round knockout of Gustavo Lemos in front of a sold-out hometown crowd at Scope Arena. Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KOs), who captured his silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, shook up the division last May by vanquishing Emanuel Navarrete via split decision to claim the vacant WBO lightweight crown.
Following a recent training session in Las Vegas, this is what Davis said:
“I’m very excited. Madison Square Garden. New York City, that’s my second home. I have family out there, so I’m ready to turn up for them. Madison Square Garden is legendary. 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. But, if you liked my last fight, you’ll be in for the same treat, a magnificent performance, a hell of a showdown, and something you can’t miss.”
“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 feel great, and I’m ready to put on a show.”
“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.”
