02/14/2025
Where To Watch: 📺 ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, BrunchBoxing.com (Live Round by Round Coverage)
Programming Note: Main card begins at 9 PM EST on ESPN. Prelims start at 5 PM EST on ESPN+.
The Theater at Madison Square Garden is set to host one of the biggest fights of the early 2025 boxing calendar. Rising lightweight star Keyshawn Davis takes his biggest leap yet, challenging Denys Berinchyk for the WBO Lightweight Championship.
In a fight week marred by deplorable racist antics, fight night aims to reclaim center stage with this excellent event, presented by Top Rank Boxing.
Davis, a 2020 Olympic silver medalist, has long been touted as a future champion. Berinchyk, the Ukrainian veteran, is an awkward and relentless volume puncher determined to silence the hype.
Brunch Boxing previews Friday’s action.
Denys Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KOs) vs. Keyshawn Davis (12-0, 8 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
What’s At Stake: Berinchyk’s WBO Lightweight Championship
Analysis: This fight presents a fascinating clash of styles. Berinchyk, a decorated amateur, has a relentless work rate and an awkward, herky-jerky rhythm. He thrives in chaotic exchanges, using roughhouse tactics, angles, and sheer volume to break down opponents. While he lacks knockout power, his durability and experience make him a tough puzzle to solve.
Davis, also a decorated amateur, is one of the smoothest operators in the division. He fights with precision, excellent footwork, and a varied offensive arsenal. His counterpunching and ability to control range will be key against Berinchyk’s aggression. Davis holds all of the physical and technical advantages, and has shown the ability to get rough in there, if need be. The main question: can Davis handle the championship rounds against a proven 12-round fighter?
Gambling Odds
Davis: -750 ML, +160 KO/TKO, -115 Decision.
Berinchyk: +470 ML, +1500 KO/TKO, +600 Decision.
Total Rounds: Over 10.5 at -260, Under 10.5 at +190.
Fight To Go The Distance: Yes at -192, No at +150.
Total Knockdowns: Over 0.5 at -115, Under 0.5 at -135; Over 1.5 at +230, Under 1.5 at -360.
Final Thoughts: This fight is a classic test of a young contender facing his first elite-level opponent. Davis will likely control the fight with his cleaner boxing, but Berinchyk won’t make it easy. His awkward style could force Davis into uncomfortable situations, especially in the early rounds. However, Davis’ skill set and physical advantages should be enough to secure a clear, if competitive, victory.
Prediction: Davis Decision
Xander Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) vs. Slawa Spomer (20-0, 11 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
What’s At Stake: No title at stake.
Analysis: Two undefeated fighters square off in what could be a sleeper fight of the night from a fascination standpoint. Zayas, a Puerto Rican rising star, is an athletic, well-schooled boxer with decent power in both hands. He’s continued to develop into a complete boxer, but this is one of his toughest tests to date. Zayas was in the running for a February 22 bout with Vergil Ortiz, but was eventually passed over.
Spomer, a relatively unknown German fighter, is a fundamentally sound technician who relies on sharp combinations and defensive discipline. He’s not a big puncher, but his ability to keep opponents off balance could make this interesting. He IS trained by Roy Jones Jr. Do with that information what you will.
Gambling Odds
Zayas: -1100 ML, +200 KO/TKO, -170 Decision.
Spomer: +540 ML, +1300 KO/TKO, +900 Decision.
Total Rounds: Over 8.5 at -280, Under 8.5 at +205.
Fight To Go The Distance: Yes at -240, No at +184.
Final Thoughts: While Spomer is a respectable opponent, Zayas should be too fast, too skilled, and too powerful over the distance. Spomer’s best chance is to make this a chess match and avoid getting drawn into exchanges. However, Zayas’ overall skill set should be enough to secure a win.
Prediction: Zayas Decision
Vito Mielnicki Jr. (20-1, 12 KOs) vs. Connor Coyle (21-0, 9 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
What’s At Stake: No title at stake.
Analysis: This is a well-matched fight between two young prospects looking to take the next step. Mielnicki, the 22-year-old from New Jersey, has continued to ascend since his early-career loss. However, he is coming off a lackluster performance in his last bout and looks to impress in his middleweight debut. He has decent power and a respectable boxing IQ but can sometimes fall into lulls during fights.
Coyle, an undefeated Irish fighter, is known for his patient approach and counterpunching. He lacks knockout power, but his durability and movement make him a tricky opponent. He will look to use his veteran experience to throw off the much younger Mielnicki.
Gambling Odds
Mielnicki: -450 ML, +230 KO/TKO, -115 Decision.
Coyle: +290 ML, +800 KO/TKO, +500 Decision.
Fight To Go The Distance: Yes at -225, No at +172.
Final Thoughts: This fight will likely be competitive early, but Mielnicki’s sharper offense and physicality should give him the edge over 10 rounds. Coyle is tough, but Mielnicki should be able to outwork him.
Prediction: Mielnicki Decision
The Rest of the Card:
Rohan Polanco (14-0, 9 KOs) vs. Jean Carlos Torres (22-1, 17 KOs), 10 rounds, welterweight
Abdullah Mason (16-0, 14 KOs) Manuel Jaimes (16-2-1, 11 KOs), 8 rounds, lightweight
Jared Anderson (17-1, 15 KOs) vs. Marios Kollias (12-3-1, 10 KOs), 10 rounds, heavyweight
Nico Ali Walsh (11-1, 5 KOs) vs. Juan Carlos Guerra Jr. (5-1-1, 2 KOs), 6 rounds, middleweight
Keon Davis (1-0, 0 KOs) vs. Ira Johnson (3-2, 2 KOs), 4 rounds, welterweight
Juan Manuel Lopez Jr. (0-0) vs. Bryan Santiago (1-1-1, 0 KOs)
Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Boxing
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