Keyshawn Davis Set for World Title Showdown Against Denys Berinchyk

Keyshawn Davis (12-0, 8 KOs) will challenge undefeated WBO lightweight world champion Denys Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KOs) on Friday, February 14, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The 25-year-old Davis looks to claim his first world title against Berinchyk, a fellow Olympic silver medalist, who is determined to defend his crown. The fight has taken on a personal edge after Davis accused Berinchyk of sending him a box of bananas and a watermelon, which he called a racist act—a claim Berinchyk dismissed as a fabricated controversy.

In the 10-round junior middleweight co-feature, undefeated Puerto Rican contender Xander Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) will defend his WBO No. 1 ranking against fellow unbeaten Slawa Spomer (20-0, 11 KOs).

The televised card will also feature New Jersey-born middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. (20-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round showdown against world-ranked Irishman Connor Coyle (21-0, 9 KOs).

The Berinchyk-Davis, Zayas-Spomer, and Mielnicki-Coyle fights will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The ESPN+ stream will begin at 5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT, showcasing the pro debut of Juanmita Lopez De Jesus, the son of former two-weight world champion Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez. Other undercard matchups include undefeated lightweight Abdullah Mason (16-0, 14 KOs) against Manuel Jaimes (16-2-1, 11 KOs), and Dominican Olympian Rohan Polanco (14-0, 9 KOs) taking on Jean Carlos Torres (22-1, 17 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight clash.

Here’s a look at what the fighters said during the press conference:

Denys Berinchyk:

"I’ve been training the entire time. And I was preparing for this defense. Nothing changed too much in my life... I’ve had more than 500 street fights and one bare-knuckle fight, which was also victorious.”

Keyshawn Davis:

"It’s unprofessional, and I feel like it’s racist... This man brought a box of bananas and a watermelon to America to bring to my room. I took it as racist... I’m going to f**k you up on Friday.”

Xander Zayas:

"I'm looking forward to becoming 21-0 on Friday night... I have to beat him to get there, so I’m going to prove that I belong at the elite level."

Slawa Spomer:

"I want to show that I belong at the top. Xander is also a top boxer... Camp with Roy Jones Jr. was amazing... two dreams have come true."

Vito Mielnicki Jr.:

"I'm going to put on a dominating performance on Friday... This is everything I’ve dreamt of as a kid.”

Connor Coyle:

"You’ll see the best version of me. I spent 12 weeks in total away from my kids and family. It was the best camp I’ve had, mentally and physically.”

Rohan Polanco:

“I know that my opponent has a lot of experience as well. I think that with my boxing skills, I will walk away victorious... The plan is to keep winning until I get a world title opportunity.”

Abdullah Mason:

"I see myself up there with the guys who hold the titles... We’re proving ourselves, and we’ll keep taking those steps forward.”

Juanmita Lopez de Jesus:

"I want to make my people in Puerto Rico proud, so I’m going to show what I'm made of... I’m very excited."

With fierce competition on the horizon and the added tension between Davis and Berinchyk, this fight night at Madison Square Garden promises to be an unforgettable event for boxing fans.