Terence Crawford is taking credit for Keyshawn Davis' fourth-round knockout over Denys Berinchyk on Friday night, saying his advice from ringside helped Davis land the punishing body shots. Some fans, however, believe the size difference was the real reason Berinchyk couldn’t withstand Davis’ offense. Berinchyk, standing at about 5'7", looked small compared to the bigger, younger Davis, who was rumored to have a sizable weight advantage by fight night.
Critics also point out that Top Rank may have carefully steered Davis toward a physically smaller opponent he could overwhelm. After all, many expected Davis to face Andy Cruz, who beat him multiple times in the amateurs, but that showdown seems unlikely. Davis’ physical advantages, some say, wouldn’t be enough against sharper punchers like Gervonta Davis, who Crawford himself mentioned as a future opponent. If Keyshawn gets hit as often in that fight, he might not be so lucky.
Watch Keyshawn's post-fight interview: Watch
Davis’ own strategy and marketing have generated a fair share of buzz, from alleged fruit-basket controversies to verbally challenging Berinchyk at the press conference. Even so, Davis managed to deliver an impressive performance in the ring, controlling the pace before finishing the 36-year-old champion in the fourth round.
Crawford believes Keyshawn has what it takes to be around "for a long time" and possibly beat someone like Gervonta Davis. Others wonder if he’s being fast-tracked without facing the real threats of the division. Do you think Davis' success is more about careful matchmaking, or is he truly the next big thing at 135?
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