What’s Next For Keyshawn Davis?

Keyshawn Davis beat Denys Berinchyk, raising question marks over his next steps. 

The fourth-round KO extended Keyshawn’s record to 13-0, as he grabbed his first world title with the WBO belt at 135. He defied the pre-fight controversy, where he accused Berinchyk of sending him a banana and watermelon in an act of racism. Keyshawn then alleged it could have been Teofimo Lopez. Those antics could have distracted Keyshawn from his mission. But he kept his composure to win the fight. 

He may target a unification with Gervonta Davis. The latter is the WBA Lightweight Champion, who will defend his belt against Lamont Roach Jr. in March. Tank has been accused of ducking Keyshawn. Gervonta has said he will retire after fighting three times this year. If he gets past Roach, there will be pressure on him to face Keyshawn. Since they both fight in the US, without ties to the Saudis, Tank may take that fight. He has spoken about his desire to continue fighting in the US, shutting down the advances of The Kingdom, who wanted to make the Devin Haney fight. 

Keyshawn could also target Vasiliy Lomachenko. The Ukrainian is the IBF Lightweight Champion. He secured the belt after beating George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant title. While he has been tipped to announce his retirement, he has not yet done so. That fight could be made since he and Keyshawn are both with Top Rank. Keyshawn called out both Tank and Loma.

Keyshawn’s Aim

“Man, it was an amazing feeling. The only thing that was kind of giving me a little bit of trouble was how he kept jumping in and out, jumping in and out. And he was a little faster than I expected. But as rounds went on and on, I just got more comfortable in there. There are two 135-pound champions that I would love to fight. If they have the guts to step in the ring with ‘The Businessman,’ tell them to send me a contract or I can send them one,” Davis said 

Another option for Keyshawn is to move up to 140 and target the big names. There are fights with the IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Richardson Hitchins or the WBO Junior Welterweight Champion Teofimo Lopez. Hutchinson struggled against Gustavo Lemos recently, someone Keyshawn stopped in the second round. Meanwhile, there is enough of a narrative to face Teofimo after their recent controversy.

However, there are suggestions that Lopez could move up to 147. But one fight fans will not see is the Shakur Stevenson bout. Shakur is the WBC Lightweight Champion, meaning it would be for a unification. However, Keyshawn and Shakur are good friends, and Davis says he will never fight Stevenson. That leaves Keyshawn with plenty to ponder moving forward. 

Full Card

Keyshawn Davis stopped Denys Berinchyk by TKO at 1:45 of Round 4 to win the WBO lightweight title.

Xander Zayas stopped Slawa Spomer by TKO at 2:01 of Round 9.

Vito Mielnicki Jr. and Conor Coyle fought to a majority draw (96-94 Mielnicki, 95-95, 95-95).

Juanmita Lopez De Jesus stopped Bryan Santiago by TKO in just 45 seconds of Round 1.

Abdulah Mason stopped Manuel Jaimes by TKO with 1:07 left in Round 4.

Rohan Polanco stopped Jean Carlos Torres by TKO with 1:13 left in Round 2.

Keon Davis stopped Ira Johnson by TKO with 1:38 left in Round 2.

Jared Anderson beat Marioas Kollias by unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 98-92)

Carlos Guerra Jr. edged Nico Ali Walsh by split decision (56-58, 58-56, 58-56).