Keyshawn Davis Scores Dominant Knockout After Racist Incident with Opponent Denys Berinchyk

Tensions flared ahead of the highly anticipated WBO lightweight title fight between Keyshawn Davis and Denys Berinchyk, but few could have predicted the controversy that would erupt before the fighters even stepped into the ring.

In the days leading up to their February 2025 bout, Berinchyk, a white boxer from Ukraine, sent Davis, who is Black, a package containing bananas and a watermelon—a gesture widely condemned as a racist provocation.

The move drew immediate backlash from fans, pundits, and fellow athletes, many labeling it as disgraceful and out of step with the values of modern boxing.

Davis, visibly angered by the incident, vowed to deliver his response where it mattered most: in the ring.

When the bell rang at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Davis transformed his outrage into a clinical and brutal performance. From the opening moments, he overwhelmed Berinchyk with sharp precision and punishing combinations.

The end came emphatically, with Davis securing a knockout that left no doubt about who the superior fighter was.

The victory not only earned Davis the WBO lightweight title, his first major championship—but also etched his name into the record books. Achieving the feat in just his 14th professional fight, Davis tied Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya for the third-fewest bouts needed to capture a lightweight world title.

The win also solidified Davis’ reputation as one of boxing’s rising stars in the 135-pound division, setting the stage for high-profile matchups against some of the sport’s top talents.

Meanwhile, Berinchyk’s pre-fight actions triggered widespread calls for disciplinary measures, with many in the boxing community condemning his behavior as both offensive and harmful to the integrity of the sport.