Whereas Valentine’s Day is often regarded as a day for love, affection takes a back-seat to pugilism on Friday night time. Feb. 14 brings extra aggressive violence to the Large Apple of New York Metropolis as High Rank Boxing presents Berinchyk vs. Davis this weekend as a part of a light-weight schedule on the fight sports activities calendar.
This version of High Rank on ESPN emanates from The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard. Stay protection of the occasion begins with the undercard at 5 pm ET/ 2 pm PT Friday afternoon on ESPN+ earlier than going over to ESPN correct at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT for major card fights instantly following this yr’s NBA All-Star Superstar Sport from San Francisco.
Barring any last-minute alterations to the occasion, Friday’s High Rank card will function 10 fights from The World’s Most Well-known Enviornment. This present comes at an attention-grabbing time for the promotion. Earlier Tuesday, reviews indicated that High Rank and ESPN could be parting firm later this summer season and Bob Arum‘s promotion is already assembly with a number of subscription-based providers to develop into the group’s new media rightsholder.
ESPN’s partnership with Bob Arum’s High Rank will finish this summer season, The Ring has confirmed, with their closing present tentatively scheduled for July twenty sixth.
High Rank reps have held talks with reps from Max and DAZN as they’re believed to hunt a number of streaming companions transferring ahead.
— Ring Journal (@ringmagazine) February 11, 2025
High Rank on ESPN Important Occasion: Denis Berinchyk vs. Keyshawn Davis- WBO World Light-weight Championship
Whereas its long-term future is now actually in query because it pertains to how playing cards will quickly have the ability to be seen, the fast future for the promotion features a three-fight major card on Friday night time. On the high of the invoice is the battle for the WBO World Light-weight Championship between present titleholder Denis Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KOs) and IBF Intercontinental, WBC United States, and WBO Intercontinental Light-weight Champion Keyshawn Davis (12-0, 1 NC, 8 KOs.)
That is an marketed most of 12 rounds at three minutes per spherical to shut the present. Denis Berinchyk enters the primary occasion having but to lose to date within the ring throughout his skilled profession.
Again in Might of final yr, he bested Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) by means of cut up determination after 12 rounds to attain the then-vacant title in San Diego. Friday’s contest is Berinchyk’s eleventh straight combat with a championship belt at stake.
He’s already gotten his hand raised and a belt 10 instances in succession. Will Friday’s contest be any totally different?
In the meantime, Keyshawn Davis can be unbeaten in his 14 profession fights. For the time being, he’s gone 4-0 with one no-contest in his final 5 bouts.
Final November, he scored a second-round knockout victory over Gustavo Lemos (29-2, 19 KOs) in Norfolk, VA. He had an energetic 2024, combating and successful thrice. Can he begin off his 2025 with a victory on Friday night time?
High Rank on ESPN Co-Important Occasion: Xander Zayas vs. Slawa Spomer
Instantly beforehand, the co-main occasion of the night sees motion happen within the super-welterweight division when a pair of undefeated fighters lock horns as Xander Zayas (20-0, 12 KOs) meets Slawa Spomer (20-0, 11 KOs) in a 10-round contest. Zayas enters the co-headliner having posted a mark of 5-0 in his final 5 bouts.
Most not too long ago, he defeated Damian Sosa (25-3, 12 KOs) by means of unanimous determination after 10 rounds in The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard on September 27 of final yr to defend the NABF and WBO Tremendous-Welterweight Championships. Whereas no titles are going to be at stake on Friday night time, Xander Zayas makes a return to the scene of his newest victory underneath the High Rank banner.
Zayas has been an everyday fixture of combat nights at MSG, as that is his third straight bout in The Theater and fourth out of his final 5. Is the venue going to serve him properly this time?
Throughout the way in which, Slawa Spomer enters this combat with a 5-0 file in his final 5 fights. Most not too long ago, he scored a first-round knockout win towards Adam Ngange (23-13-2, 14 KOs) in Dubai final November.
That is Spomer’s first profession combat inside america of America. Previous to this, he’s fought virtually completely in Germany, with the lone exception being the combat in Dubai final fall. Will his first journey to New York Metropolis end in a victory?
High Rank on ESPN: Vito Mielnicki Jr. vs. Connor Coyle
To open up the High Rank major card this Friday night time, the middleweights will head to the ring in New York Metropolis when Vito Mielnicki Jr. (20-1, 12 KOs) meets up with Connor Coyle (21-0, 9 KOs). This contest is an marketed most of 10 rounds at three minutes per spherical.
Mielnicki enters the combat with a file of 5-0 in his final 5 fights, and very similar to Xander Zayas within the co-main occasion, additionally fought at The Theater final September, successful a majority determination towards Khalil el Harraz (16-6-1, 2 KOs) after 10 rounds. He’s been on a roll of late, securing victories in his final 12 outings.
Solely time will inform, nevertheless, if he’ll flip it into fortunate quantity 13.
Within the different nook, Coyle has but to lose to date in his skilled profession. Final day trip, he bested Kyle Lomotey (12-3, 2 KOs) on factors after eight rounds in Barnsley, England six months in the past. Connor Coyle has fought 16 of his contests on US soil, so how will he do in his seventeenth bout in America?
Last Ideas
Which of the three contests on the High Rank major card are you wanting ahead to? Tell us within the feedback.
