Davis draws curtain on a fine fight career
Sean Davis…captured English and International belts
HOCKLEY Hurricane Sean Davis has drawn the curtain on a glorious career that brought English and international honours at super-bantam – and a gallant crack at the British title.
The 33-year-old – one of the game’s true gents – bows out with more losses than wins (14-19) after taking his show on the road and facing tough, heavier opposition in their own backyard.
Tattooed Davis last fought in February, 2022, and suffered stoppage defeat to Keanen Wainwright.
But in his pomp, the father-of-two was a joy to watch. He possessed excellent footwork and fired combinations with trip-hammer speed. He was a ring technician.
With typical modesty, Davis said: “I was very lucky.
“It was just time for me. I loved being on the road but I fell out of love with making weight and killing myself day in day out in the gym, plus my work picked up loads so I’m doing well with that.
“I get a lot more time with my kids now. And, yes, every memory from boxing is a good one for me. You can’t beat the people and characters you meet and everyone involved in boxing has a respect for each other that goes beyond the ring.”
Davis has been a credit to the game.
After an uninspiring 13 wins, 11 losses amateur career with St Francis ABC, Davis caused sparks to fly in the paid game.
On a memorable night at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena in October, 2016, he lifted the WBC international super-bantamweight title following a 10 round war with Paul Economides. Eight months earlier he’d captured the English belt by outpointing Jason Booth.
Bout number 13 proved unlucky for Sean. He lost his unbeaten record and international belt to Gamal Yafai in seven rounds.
That was not to be the last big night for the stylish boxer. In 2017, as a prohibitive underdog, he pushed Thomas Patrick Ward all the way with the British title on the line.
A move up to feather and crack at Reece Mould’s feather crown ended in four.
I interviewed “Showtime Sean” at his peak, when he was 11-0 and cutting a swathe through the domestic ranks.
He said: “I never took boxing seriously as an amateur. I was a typical teenager, getting into trouble and going down the wrong side of the tracks. “
One of seven children, Davis comes from fighting stock. His dad and grandfather were boxers.
“My dad used to take me and my brothers kicking and screaming to the gym,” he laughed. “We started picking it up and I stuck at it.”
He did not dedicate himself body and soul to the sport, however.
“But as soon as I turned pro, I found out my missus was pregnant,” said Davis. “I said I’m going to 100 per cent dedicate myself for my kids.”
That he did. The tee-totaller was a veritable demon in the gym. “I always say,” he said, “that I don’t want no one training harder than me in the gym.”
Like so many exponents of the most brutal of sports, Davis’ persona outside the ring belied the menace he displayed within the ropes. He is a genuinely pleasant individual.
And in an age where champs indulge in choreographed, wrestling style insults, Davis, refreshingly, refused to bad-mouth opponents. “I’m never going to be one of those fighters who disrespect people,” vowed Davis. “I’ll shake their hand before and shake their hand afterwards. We have kids looking up to us on that big stage.”
That respect for the game and opponents has remained.
Last night he said: “I want to thank everyone that had anything at all to do with my boxing - from all the support I had from friends and family to my trainer Shaun Cogan (for the last part of my career on the road) and especially Peter Christie who has done more for me then anyone could ask. He taught me from absolutely nothing to a professional champion.”