Keyshawn Davis Takes the Lightweight Title by Storm
On a memorable Friday night at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City, the boxing world witnessed a significant shift in the lightweight division. WBO World Lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk, known for his sharp skills and determination, faced a formidable challenge from the No. 1 contender, 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist Keyshawn ‘The Businessman’ Davis. Despite Berinchyk’s experience and previous accolades, Davis proved to be an unstoppable force. The bout started with Davis pushing Berinchyk to the canvas in the first round, setting an early tone of dominance. Referee Harvey Dock, however, did not issue any warnings for this action. Davis’s sharp movements and high guard made it difficult for Berinchyk to land effective punches, and the champion found himself trailing early in the fight.
Davis’s Relentless Assault
In the second round, Berinchyk attempted to fight southpaw, managing to land a few punches. However, Davis’s superior footwork and hand speed continued to give him the edge, and the round ended with Davis still in control. The third round saw a dramatic turn when Davis landed a powerful left to the liver, dropping Berinchyk for an 8-count. Davis’s precision and power were evident as he drew blood from Berinchyk’s nose, further hampering the champion’s efforts. By the fourth round, Berinchyk was struggling to keep up. A left to the body from Davis sent Berinchyk to the canvas, and despite the champion’s attempt to rise, Referee Dock stopped the fight at 1:45, ruling it a knockout. Davis’s victory was a clear statement of his potential and a testament to his Olympic-caliber skills.
Xander Zayas Outshines in the Co-Feature
The co-feature of the evening was a super welterweight bout between unbeaten top-ranked WBO contender Xander Zayas and the previously undefeated Slawa Spomer. Zayas, known for his explosive style, wasted no time in making his mark. In the first round, he drew blood from Spomer’s nose with a looping left, setting the tone for the fight. The third round saw Zayas land a low blow, which referee Charlie Fitch warned him about, but it did little to deter his aggression. Spomer managed to land a powerful overhand right on Zayas’s chin in the final seconds of the third round, but it was not enough to change the course of the fight.
Zayas’s Hand Speed Proves Unbeatable
Zayas continued to dominate in the fifth round, with another warning from the referee for a low blow. From the sixth to the eighth rounds, Zayas out-landed Spomer by a significant margin, focusing on body shots that drained his opponent’s energy. The ninth round was the breaking point. Zayas landed a series of powerful punches, including an uppercut that almost knocked Spomer down. A flurry of four more punches by Zayas prompted Referee Fitch to step in and stop the fight at 2:01 of the ninth round. The 22-year-old Zayas’s hand speed and precision were simply too much for the 32-year-old Spomer, who was trained by former world champion Roy Jones Jr. This win cements Zayas’s position as a top contender in the super welterweight division.
Vito Mielnicki Jr. and Connor Coyle Clash in a Draw
The middleweight bout between Vito ‘White Majic’ Mielnicki Jr. and Connor ‘The Kid’ Coyle was a closely contested affair, ending in a majority draw over 10 rounds. Mielnicki, known for his strategic approach, started strong, using an effective jab to control the first two rounds. However, Coyle showed his power in the third round, landing six unanswered punches in the final seconds. The fourth round saw Mielnicki bleeding from the mouth early, but he managed to cause a cut on Coyle’s left eyebrow with a right uppercut. Mielnicki regained momentum in the fifth round, outworking Coyle and continuing his dominance through the sixth and seventh rounds.
A Competitive Finish
The final three rounds were closely contested, with both fighters landing significant punches. In the eighth round, Coyle came back strong, using his power punches to challenge Mielnicki. The ninth round saw Mielnicki fighting back well, landing a left hook on Coyle’s chin. The tenth and final round was an action-packed battle, with Mielnicki out-landing Coyle and seemingly pulling out the decision. However, the scores were 96-94 Mielnicki, 95-95 twice, resulting in a majority draw. The fight was a testament to the skill and resilience of both fighters, and the crowd at Madison Square Garden was thoroughly entertained by their competitive match.
Abdullah Mason’s Impressive Knockout Performance
In the lightweight division, southpaw Abdullah Mason made a strong impression by stopping Manuel Jaimes in the fourth round of a scheduled eight rounds. Mason’s power and precision were evident from the start, as he dropped Jaimes with a left uppercut in the second round. The third round saw another knockdown, this time with a four-punch combination that started with a left to the chin. Mason’s relentless assault continued in the fourth round, dropping Jaimes twice with powerful punches. Referee David Fields wisely stopped the fight at 1:55, securing Mason’s fourth knockout victory in 17 fights. This performance solidifies Mason’s position as a rising star in the lightweight division.
Rohan Polanco Claims the Continental Title
Welterweight 2020 Olympian Rohan ‘El Rayo’ Polanco secured the vacant WBO Continental title with a dominant performance against Juan Carlos ‘Lobo’ Torres. Polanco, known for his quick and precise punches, dropped Torres with a left hook to the head in the first minute of the first round. He continued his aggressive style in the second round, dropping Torres again with a left to the chin followed by a push down. A right to the chin in the second round caused another knockdown, and upon rising from an 8-count, Referee Eddie Claudio stopped the fight at 1:48 of the second round. Polanco’s victory was a clear demonstration of his Olympic training and professional potential, making him a name to watch in the welterweight division.
Nico Ali Walsh’s Competitive Loss
The ‘Legend Lives on Tour’ featured middleweight Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of the legendary Muhammad Ali, in a competitive match against Juan ‘El Fresero’ Carlos Guerra Jr. The six-round bout was closely contested, with both fighters showcasing their skills. Guerra’s overhand rights were particularly effective in the second and third rounds, while Ali Walsh worked the body with uppercuts in the fourth round. The fifth round saw both fighters landing left hooks to the chin, and the final sixth round had Ali Walsh performing well when in the middle of the ring. Despite his efforts, Ali Walsh lost the fight by split decision, with the scores being 58-56 each and 58-56 Guerra. The loss was a learning experience for Ali Walsh, who continues to build his career in the shadow of his grandfather’s legacy.
