Keyshawn Davis turned a world champion for the primary time as he knocked out Denys Berinchyk at Madison Sq. Backyard Theater in New York to assert the WBO light-weight title.
Davis dominated the beforehand unbeaten Berinchyk (19-1), knocking the Ukrainian down within the third spherical with a physique shot earlier than doing so once more within the following interval to finish the bout.
The victory improved the Tokyo Olympics silver medallist’s skilled file to 13-0 (9 KOs) and units up potential mega-fights with fellow light-weight world champions Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
“It was a tremendous feeling,” Davis stated within the ring following the struggle.
“I by no means actually have issues with awkward fighters. The one factor that was giving me slightly bother was how he saved leaping out and in, and he was slightly sooner than I anticipated.
“However because the rounds went on and on, I simply acquired extra snug in there, and the fourth spherical did it to him.”
Keyshawn Davis claimed his first skilled world title
Regardless of an ill-tempered build-up that included a brawl on the weigh-in and accusations of racism from the Davis camp, the 25-year-old appeared calm and targeted from the opening bell in New York Metropolis.
An attractive left to the physique dropped Berinchyk within the early levels of the third, after which Davis merely toyed together with his ailing opponent.
The American began the fourth spherical with related vigour, bloodying Berinchyk’s nostril earlier than smiling over to fellow world champion Terence Crawford at ringside as he plotted a end.
It got here simply moments later with a pair of physique photographs, {a partially} blocked proper hand adopted by a left that solely appeared to graze Berinchyk’s midriff however despatched him to the canvas.
Davis himself started waving the struggle off because it turned clear Berinchyk would not make the depend, earlier than leaping onto the ropes to have fun in entrance of a thrilled crowd.
Davis known as out fellow light-weight world champions Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko after the struggle
Regardless of his relative inexperience, Davis seems intent on shifting straight right into a unification bout with both fellow American Davis or one other Ukrainian in Lomachenko.
He stated: “Anyone that acquired the ***** to step within the ring and struggle me. Inform ’em come on, anyone. There are two 135lbs division champions that I might like to struggle.
“But when they acquired the heart to step within the ring with the enterprise man, inform them to ship me a contract, or I am going to ship them one.”
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