Keyshawn Davis recently declared he’ll be "unbelievably strong" come February 14, when he challenges Denys Berinchyk for the WBO lightweight title at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater. Despite Davis' confidence, critics argue he’s never really displayed fight-ending power, and the adversaries he has stopped were at best middling competition. Going toe-to-toe with an accomplished technician like Berinchyk might not be as simple as flexing new muscle.
Berinchyk has proven he can handle strength and physicality, thanks to a rich amateur background facing multiple top-tier opponents. If Davis believes that pure aggression will topple the unbeaten Ukrainian, he may find himself in deep water. Observers point out that Davis skipped challenging guys like Andy Cruz and Edwin De Los Santos, which might have served as better preparation for a cunning fighter like Berinchyk.
Some fans think Davis is chasing a shortcut to big-money fights with Gervonta Davis or Vasiliy Lomachenko right after this title bout. Yet it’s no secret that both “Tank” and “Loma” are more likely to focus on marquee matchups with name recognition - a realm Keyshawn has yet to enter. Even if Davis snags the WBO belt, he’d likely end up defending it against lesser-known contenders instead of those marquee names.
Still, the young American star is sure he can prove doubters wrong.
Image Credit: Sky Sports