Will Berinchyk Fight on the Usyk–Fury Undercard?

Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, recently announced a replacement opponent for Serhii Bohachuk (24-2, 23 KOs). However, an earlier version of the fight poster featured another intriguing bout: WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KOs) against Sam Noakes (16-0, 14 KOs).

Two details make this notable. First, this pairing has surfaced in promotional materials before but has never been officially confirmed. Second, when the poster with the Bohachuk and Berinchyk updates was released, Noakes was actively competing in a bout. He celebrated a victory over Ryan Walsh (29-5-2, 13 KOs) in London, UK, shortly after. This situation implied that Noakes would need to return for another fight—this time for a title—just two weeks after his previous bout.

Subsequently, Turki Alalshikh shared an updated poster where the Berinchyk vs. Noakes fight was no longer featured.

Alina Shaternikova, vice president of Ukraine’s National Professional Boxing League, shared her insight on Berinchyk’s next fight:

“Right now, Denys Berinchyk and his team are in a training camp, preparing for a title defense.

It will be at an old-school boxing venue that I absolutely adore and have visited several times—Madison Square Garden. That’s where Denys Berinchyk will defend his WBO world title,” said Shaternikova.