Emanuel Navarrete is ready to surmount a challenge in a new division as he takes on Denys Berinchyk on May 18 with the vacant WBO lightweight title on the line. While for Navarrete it is a shot at glory in a fourth division, for Berinchyk it’s an opportunity to sit on the champion’s throne. But who will leave the Pechanga Arena with the gold strap?

The Mexican champion leveraged his WBO super featherweight title to insert himself into the title picture in the organization’s lightweight division. However, some might wonder whether the move to 135 came too early, as he had only spent a year at 130 fighting the best. But that gives him a cushion in case of an adverse result. Meanwhile, his challenger can’t afford the same comfort. Do the varying degrees of risks for both impact how they approach the fight? Let’s have a look at how they stack up before their high-voltage clash.

Emanuel Navarrete vs. Denys Berinchyk: tale of the tape

Navarrete, 29, is the younger of the two, as he holds an impressive record of 38-1-1. Notably, 31 of those 38 wins came via a knockout, which suggests his eagerness to finish the job and fits his description of a power puncher. His staggering KO ratio of 81.5% strengthens the same argument.

On the other hand, Berinchyk, 36, is probably looking to convert his first and only title push. While he started his pro career a tad late with less activity, his unblemished record of 18-0 with 9 KOs speaks volumes about his caliber as a boxer. Despite not carving out an image as an explosive boxer, he mixed styles and racked up success. His 50% KO ratio narrates the same tale.

However, there is nothing separating on paper, as both stand tall at 5’7″ (170cm). Moreover, when the two stood on the scales in the lead-up to the fight, Navarrete clocked exactly at 135 lbs, whereas Berinchyk came just under at 134.8 lbs. After looking at their stats, let’s have a look at how these two are geared up for their showdown.

Recent form, fighting styles, and factoring in luck

‘Vaquero’ comes into the fight on the heels of 3 tough fights in 2023, as he ventured into the super featherweight division last year. Apart from his fight with Oscar Valdez, he didn’t look settled at 130 as he struggled to make adjustments in the new division. Not only did he find himself on the canvas against Liam Wilson, but Robson Conceição dominated him over 12 rounds in his most recent outing.

Navarrete has been cracked open in recent fights, and the boxing community has learned about his vulnerability. But the San Juan Zitlaltepec native is tough, never backs down, and always finds himself pulling off a victory out of thin air. Some might call it luck, and some might call it a never-give-up attitude. But he has his work cut out in the #1 WBO lightweight contender, who has deep amateur experience along with a 2012 Olympics silver medal.

Berinchyk is coming off a win when he outpointed Anthony Yigit in August. While he is not a power puncher like his opponent, he is a shrewd and skilled tactician. He can seamlessly execute a game plan, fight in many styles, and is mentally prepared to fight under any conditions. The Kyiv resident is a mentality monster who has honed the Vasyl Lomachenko style to the core. But can he hand a defeat to Navarrete, his first in almost 12 years?

Prediction: Who wins it?

Navarrete has fought 13 title fights across three divisions and is 12-0-1 in those. In addition, he recently sewed up his left hand after surgery and it remains to be seen how that affects the fight. But maybe the jump to 135 might be too steep for him. The pressing question is whether the added weight translates to increased power as well, at 135. If that doesn’t happen, Berinchyk can walk through his power punches, which have been his most reliable weapon.

The fight will be decided by which of the two utilizes the distance and controls it. Despite Navarrete dropping Conceicao twice, he barely escaped a defeat as the latter employed jabs, moved around, and landed combinations. One needs to be out of Navarrete’s hitting arc and rely on mid-range and close-range attacks. Not only is Berinchyk active and skilled enough to execute it, but he also uses angles and is relentless.

The fight has all the ingredients of a mouth-watering contest. You can expect Navarrete to impose his will on Berinchyk. But it’s a touch-and-go contest where the fight’s momentum might swing like a pendulum.

What do you make of this coming fight between Emanuel Navarrete and Denys Berinchyk? Do you believe the Mexican fighter will bag the gold in the fourth division? Let us know in the comments below.