A heated altercation unfolded during a press conference ahead of Friday's lightweight championship bout at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City. Keyshawn Davis, the challenger, accused WBO champion Denys Berinchyk and his team of sending him a box containing bananas, watermelon, and a note to his hotel room. Berinchyk, however, denied any involvement, claiming he doesn't speak English and suggesting that someone else was trying to stir up controversy. The situation escalated when Davis repeatedly interrupted Berinchyk, raising suspicions about his intentions. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, Davis vowed to settle matters inside the ring.

Tensions Rise Over Mysterious Package

The pre-fight atmosphere took an unexpected turn when Keyshawn Davis revealed receiving a peculiar delivery. He claimed that a box filled with bananas, watermelons, and a note was left at his hotel room, which he interpreted as a racially charged gesture. Davis expressed his frustration and disappointment, stating that this incident made the fight more personal for him. During the press conference, he confronted Berinchyk directly, accusing him and his team of orchestrating the stunt. However, Davis’s behavior, including interrupting Berinchyk multiple times, raised questions about the legitimacy of his claims.

Davis emphasized the significance of the incident by saying it felt unprofessional and disrespectful. He highlighted the facial expressions of Berinchyk’s coaches, implying their involvement. The challenger’s nervous demeanor and insistence on confronting Berinchyk added layers of complexity to the situation. Without substantial proof, Davis’s accusations remained speculative, yet they undoubtedly heightened the tension leading up to the fight. His resolve to address the matter in the ring signaled a shift from verbal sparring to physical confrontation.

Berinchyk Denies Involvement Amidst Accusations

Facing direct accusations from Davis, Denys Berinchyk maintained his innocence. He stated that he neither speaks nor writes English fluently, making it implausible for him to have authored the note or orchestrated the package delivery. Berinchyk suggested that someone with malicious intent might be trying to create unnecessary hype around the event. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Davis’s agitation, leading observers to question the validity of the challenger’s claims. Berinchyk’s denial was unequivocal, emphasizing that media reports had misinterpreted the situation.

Berinchyk’s response was met with skepticism from Davis, who dismissed the champion’s explanations. Despite the language barrier, Berinchyk managed to convey his confusion and frustration over the allegations. He pointed out that such actions were out of character for him and his team, further distancing himself from the incident. The promoter, Alex Krassyuk, also stepped in to remind Davis that the press conference was not the appropriate platform for airing grievances. Ultimately, the focus returned to the upcoming fight, where both fighters would have the opportunity to prove themselves in the ring rather than through public accusations.