Ukrainian boxer Denys Berinchyk claimed the vacant WBO lightweight championship in a hard-fought battle against Emanuel Navarrete in San Diego. The match ended in a split decision victory for Berinchyk, with judges scoring the fight 115-113, 116-112, and 112-116 in his favor.
The fight itself was characterized by awkward movement, numerous missed punches, and limited impact from both fighters' offensive efforts. Despite the lack of clear dominance, Berinchyk's win marked a significant milestone in his career, elevating him to the status of a world champion with an unblemished record of 19 wins.
Earlier on the same day in Saudi Arabia, Berinchyk's fellow Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk achieved a historic feat by becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly 25 years. Usyk's victory over Tyson Fury added to the day's significance for Ukrainian boxing, solidifying their presence on the global stage.
Navarrete, the reigning WBO junior lightweight champion, had aspirations of joining a select group of Mexican boxers who have held titles in four different weight classes. Fighters like Canelo Alvarez, Jorge Arce, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, and Leo Santa Cruz have achieved this feat, and Navarrete aimed to add his name to that prestigious list.
With previous WBO titles at 122 and 126 pounds, Navarrete was seeking to add the 135-pound belt to his collection. Despite his efforts, Berinchyk's victory denied Navarrete the opportunity to make history in the ring.
