Denys Berinchyk vs Keyshawn Davis Predictions: ‘The Businessman’ looks to close the deal

WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk defends his title against fast-rising Olympian Keyshawn Davis this Friday, February 14. The bout takes place at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York. Sky Sports will broadcast the event live, with Jared Anderson, Xander Zayas and Abdullah Mason also on the card.

Here are my Berinchyk vs Davis predictions ahead of this enticing title fight.

Denys Berinchyk vs Keyshawn Davis Odds

Berinchyk is priced at 9/2, which demonstrates that the champ is up against it here. Davis is 1/7 to capture his first world title. A draw is priced at 25/1.

Denys Berinchyk vs Keyshawn Davis Fight Preview

Since turning over in 2021 after winning silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, this outcome has felt inevitable for Davis. A prenatural talent, his ascension to fight for a world title has understandably been viewed as a formality. 

Amateur success is no guarantee you will rule the world as a pro. Boxing’s history is littered with Olympic medallists who found the jump to the more-brutal paid ranks a step too far. But Davis has looked comfortable punching for pay, winning all 12 of his outings so far.

Unlike many high profile Olympians who turn pro, those wins haven’t come against soft touches. Davis has beaten former world champion Jose Pedraza plus a further two former title challengers. The 25-year-old also stopped Gustavo Daniel Lemos in two rounds, one fight after he had taken current IBF champion Richardson Hitchins the distance. 

Davis has been matched tough. Pressure makes diamonds and this young man might just be a future jewel in boxing’s crown.

That journey continues against a double-tough world champion in Berinchyk. The Ukrainian is a fellow Olympic silver medallist, having clinched his at London 2012.

Berinchyk only had one bout in 2024 but it could not have been more successful. The 36-year-old upset modern great Emanuel Navarrete by unanimous decision to clinch the vacant WBO lightweight title. His opponent was eyeing a world title in a fourth weight class, but Berinchyk nixed history to take the belt and retain his unbeaten record.

That record contains some excellent names. Berinchyk retired Japanese warrior Nihito Arakawa, outpointed former world title challenger Isa Chaniev, won the European title from Ivan Mendy and beat Anthony Yigit, who had boxed for the IBF belt. It’s a fine resume that is now topped with the WBO championship.

But despite his credentials and his bauble, Berinchyk comes into this as the underdog. That is no reflection of his abundant talent. But Davis is considered special. He is the latest ring star anointed “the new Floyd Mayweather”, a label as laborious and free-wheeling as football’s “next Lionel Messi” tag. 

Amusingly, his close friend Shakur Stevenson is another apparent next-Floyd. Boxing and its lazy comparisons, eh? Have the tastemakers not heard of Sugar Ray Leonard? Pernell Whittaker? Boxing was not built on one defensive stylist alone.

But back to the present day, where future legends are forged. This one looks well-set for Davis to impress stylistically. Berinchyk is good under pressure, as he showed when Navarrete spent most of their bout pursuing him. He can take the initiative too. But Davis’ superior speed and more incongruous attacks could unsettle him.

Berinchyk is mightily durable, which could make this tough on Davis. Everyone has their breaking point, but it might take ‘The Businessman’ longer to find his opponent’s than he is used to.

Denys Berinchyk vs Keyshawn Davis Full Card

Denys Berinchyk vs. Keyshawn Davis

Xander Zayas vs. Slawa Spomer 

Jared Anderson vs. Marios Kollias 

Rohan Polanco vs. Jean Carlos Torres 

Vito Mielnicki Jr. vs. Connor Coyle 

Abdullah Mason vs. Manuel Jaimes 

Delante Johnson vs. Quashawn Toler 

Nico Ali Walsh vs. Juan Carlos Guerra Jr. 

Keon Davis vs. Ira Johnson 

Juanma Lopez De Jesus vs. Bryan Santiago 

Denys Berinchyk vs Keyshawn Davis Prediction

This is a terrible styles-match for Berinchyk. He is not powerful enough to stop Davis’ momentum and not quick enough to make him think twice. Berinchyk is an effective counter-puncher, which is likely to be his best chance here.

I see Davis racking up the rounds, perhaps taking the odd one back. But I feel ‘The Businessman’ will seal the deal and win on points at 5/6.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.