NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. (WAVY) — Keyshawn Davis is bringing a world title home to Norfolk.

Davis, in his first championship bout, knocked out Denys Berinchyk at 1:45 in the fourth round to win the WBO lightweight crown. The fight was held before a sellout crowd of 4,979 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

"Man, it was an amazing feeling," Davis said. "Right before I knocked him out, I was hearing the crowd saying 'Norfolk, Norfolk, Norfolk.' I was like, 'I've got to knock him out now.'"

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Keyshawn Davis punches Denys Berinchyk during their WBO lightweight title fight during their junior bantamweight fight during their lightweight fight during their welterweight fight, during their heavyweight fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Keyshawn Davis poses with the belt after his knock out of Denys Berinchyk in the fourth round during their WBO lightweight title fight during their junior bantamweight fight during their lightweight fight during their welterweight fight, during their heavyweight fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Keyshawn Davis knocks down Denys Berinchyk in the first round during their WBO lightweight title fight during their junior bantamweight fight during their lightweight fight during their welterweight fight, during their heavyweight fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Keyshawn Davis knocks down Denys Berinchyk in the first round during their WBO lightweight title fight during their junior bantamweight fight during their lightweight fight during their welterweight fight, during their heavyweight fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Keyshawn Davis punches Denys Berinchyk during their WBO lightweight title fight during their junior bantamweight fight during their lightweight fight during their welterweight fight, during their heavyweight fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Keyshawn Davis punches Denys Berinchyk during their WBO lightweight title fight during their junior bantamweight fight during their lightweight fight during their welterweight fight, during their heavyweight fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Keyshawn Davis knocks out Denys Berinchyk in the fourth roundduring their WBO lightweight title fight during their junior bantamweight fight during their lightweight fight during their welterweight fight, during their heavyweight fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Keyshawn Davis knocks out Denys Berinchyk in the fourth roundduring their WBO lightweight title fight during their junior bantamweight fight during their lightweight fight during their welterweight fight, during their heavyweight fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The knockout came after Davis (13-0, 9 KOs) had knocked down Berinchyk (19-1, 9 KOs) in the third round of what was scheduled to be a 12-round fight.

The two boxers appeared to be feeling each other out over the first two rounds, landing just 13 punches between them. Davis said he did not have trouble with what was described as Berinchyk's awkward style.

"I never really had problems with awkward fighters," Davis said. "The only thing that was giving me trouble was how he kept jumping in and out. And he was a little faster than I expected. As the rounds went on, I got more comfortable in there, and in the fourth round, did it to him."

Davis, however, went on the offensive in the third round, and knocked down Berinchyk at around the 2:40 mark with a left hook to the body. Berinchyk, 36, of Ukraine, got right back up from that blow.

But that didn't happen the next time Davis knocked him down, as the Norfolk native again landed a body blow that put Berinchyk to his knees, and kept him there.

Davis is now the new WBO lightweight champion of the world, and Norfolk's first boxing world champion since the late Pernell Whitaker.

And Davis appears ready to take on all comers.

"There are two, 135-pound champions that I would love to fight," Davis said. "If they have the guts to step in the ring with 'The Businessman,' tell them to send me a contract, or I can send them one."

Davis had previously showcased himself before a sellout hometown audience at Scope Arena in November, knocking out Gustavo Lemos in the second round in emphatic fashion.

Friday was also a good night for Davis' brother, Keon Davis, who beat Ira Johnson via a second-round KO in a super-welterweight bout.

Trio of wins for DB3, capped off by crushing Keyshawn KO before Scope sellout

Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum called Keyshawn Davis "a sensational young fighter. ... You saw the future of boxing tonight here in New York City."

Davis said he needed to put on a strong performance for his son, Keyshawn Jr.

"He was in the crowd watching me," Davis said. "It means a lot to me now. When he looks back at this day, he's going to be proud of his father."

Check with WAVY.com for updates.

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