Berinchyk to Defend Lightweight Title Against Keyshawn Davis on February 14

The Theater at Madison Square Garden will host a competitive night of boxing on Friday, February 14, as WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk makes his first title defence against Keyshawn Davis. The bout headlines a Top Rank-promoted event in association with K2 Promotions and Queensberry Promotions. The main card, featuring three matchups, will air live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. UK coverage will likely land on Sky Sports.

Denys Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KOs), a former standout on the Ukrainian national amateur team, captured the WBO title last May with a split-decision victory over Emanuel Navarrete. Now, the experienced champion faces Keyshawn Davis (12-0, 8 KOs), a rising contender and Olympic silver medalist, in his first defence.

“I’m not going to make any big statements or shower my opponent with compliments,” Berinchyk said. “I’ll just say one thing: Don’t relax, dude! It won’t be an easy fight for you!”

Davis, known for his technical skills and consistency, shared his excitement about the opportunity. “This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. Denys Berinchyk called me out, and I answered,” he said. “A new era in the lightweight division begins on February 14th. Be there in person or watch it live on ESPN because what I’m going to do must be seen to be believed.”

In the co-main event, Xander Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs), the WBO No. 1-ranked junior middleweight contender, faces Slawa Spomer (20-0, 11 KOs). Zayas, 22, has maintained a busy schedule and seeks to solidify his path toward a world title.

“Fighting in front of my people at Madison Square Garden is always a great honor, and I can’t wait to give them a great night of boxing on February 14,” Zayas said. “I will show I am ready to challenge for a world title at 154 pounds. I will not back down!”

Spomer, who has previously defeated multiple unbeaten prospects, sees this as a defining test in his career. “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this my whole life. It’s time to show the world that I belong at the top of the sport,” Spomer said.

The card’s opening bout features New Jersey’s Vito Mielnicki Jr. (20-1, 12 KOs) against Ireland’s Connor Coyle (21-0, 9 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight contest. Mielnicki, making his debut at 160 pounds, is on a 12-fight win streak, while Coyle brings experience and an unbeaten record on North American soil.

The undercard features several noteworthy matchups from TopRank’s stable of prospects:

• Welterweight Rohan Polanco (14-0, 9 KOs) of the Dominican Republic takes on Puerto Rico’s Jean Carlos Torres (22-1, 17 KOs) in a 10-round contest.
• Lightweight Abdullah Mason (16-0, 14 KOs) faces Manuel Jaimes (16-2-1, 11 KOs) in an eight-round bout.
• In an all-Ohio clash, Welterweight Tiger Johnson (14-0, 6 KOs) meets Quashawn Toler (17-3, 12 KOs).
• Middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (11-1, 5 KOs), grandson of Muhammad Ali, is set for a six-round fight against an opponent to be announced.

Tickets will be available starting Thursday, January 9, at 12 p.m. ET through Ticketmaster.

With three high-stakes matchups and a strong supporting card, the February 14 event offers boxing a strong return to ‘The Garden’.