Serhii Bohachuk vs Ishmael Davis Predictions: Can late replacement upset the favourite?

Former WBC interim super welterweight champion Serhii Bohachuk returns to the ring this Saturday, December 21 against Leeds boxer Ishmael Davis. The bout takes place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch against Tyson Fury. The fight will be screened on DAZN, Sky Sports Box Office and TNT Sports Box Office.

Here are my Bohachuk vs Davis predictions ahead of this 154lb showdown.

Bohachuk was originally supposed to be facing former WBA champion Israil Madrimov on this card. The first indication that the bout would not take place came when Madrimov was matched with Vergil Ortiz Jr. on the February Riyadh card headlined by Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol’s II.

It is highly unusual for a fighter to have two high-profile fights on their schedule, given the result of the first can impact the viability of the second. The two-month turnaround for Madrimov made it even more unrealistic. That is why it was no surprise when Madrimov withdrew from the Bohachuk fight due to bronchitis.

Fans of ‘El Flaco’ are at least sated by a rejigged fight on the Usyk-Fury card. Bohachuk takes on a very different opponent in 29-year-old Davis. The Leeds fighter is a new face at world level and this is a leap in class for him. 

Davis was last seen losing via majority decision to the quality Josh Kelly. ‘The Black Panther’ was a late replacement for ex-world champion Liam Smith and he took his chance well. Davis pushed his seasoned opponent hard and made him work for everything in a torrid fight. Davis might not have done enough to earn the decision but he did earn respect.

That enhanced reputation has seen his door knocked on for another late-notice opportunity. Bohachuk is a top fighter and Davis will be keenly aware that a win here could be the launching pad to championship belts.

Bohachuk will not go easily though. Like Davis, he is coming off a defeat that he will be determined to consign to history. The frustration will be even greater for Bohachuk, given that it came against Ortiz. Knowing Madrimov has skipped over him to contest the very WBC interim belt he lost to the Texan surely has to stick in his craw.

But the way these Riyadh Season cards work is conducive to Bohachuk’s ambitions. Impressive performances on this stage are rewarded with further opportunities. If the Ukrainian puts on a peak performance against Davis, he will be at the front of the queue for further big fights. The winner of Ortiz-Madrimov surely beckons if Bohachuk looks good on Saturday.

Intriguingly, the same could be true of Davis. Turki Alalshikh isn’t as on-the-rails as many promoters. If the underdog wins on one of his cards, they too are rewarded. One need only look at the rise of Agit Kabayel at heavyweight, who has parlayed back-to-back upsets over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sanchez into a crack at Zhilei Zhang’s WBC interim belt.

Despite this being a non-title affair, it really is all to play for in Riyadh. For Bohachuk this fight is about protecting his place near the top of the super welterweight division. Meanwhile, Davis has been handed an unexpected chance to leapfrog his way to the pinnacle. This isn’t the fight we were expecting, but it is one with plenty to recommend it.

Bohachuk vs Davis Fight Odds

‘El Flaco’ is your favourite at 1/8 while Davis’ late replacement status is reflected in his 11/2 odds. If you fancy a draw, which would be a first for either man, it is priced at 20/1.

Bohachuk vs Davis Full Card

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury

Serhii Bohachuk vs. Ishmael Davis

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Johnny Fisher vs. Dave Allen

Isaac Lowe vs. Lee McGregor

Peter McGrail vs. Rhys Edwards

Bohachuk vs Davis Prediction

I think Bohachuk will be sharp and too skilled for Davis. ‘The Black Panther’ is game, we saw that against Kelly. But he lacks some of the polish that the Ukrainian can bring. 

Only Ortiz and ex-champ Brian Mendoza have lasted the distance with Bohachuk. I don’t see Davis as being at that level. I believe he will get stopped in rounds 10-12 at odds of 16/5.

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