Mystery man Davis debuts at Excelsior

New pro Omar Davis with Scott Murray and Jon Pegg

SOMETHING of a mystery man steps through the ropes for his ring debut at the Excelsior Club, Cannock, next Thursday.

I know nothing about Omar Davis, who has turned over after only two amateur bouts. But the word from Birmingham’s Eastside gym is a pleasant surprise awaits.

At Scott Murray’s plush Premier Suite club, the light-heavy makes his paid bow against Konstantin “The Russian” Aleksandrov, who is actually a Bulgarian – and known to local fight fans.

I can testify Davis, managed by Jon Pegg, promoted by Murray, is a highly articulate individual brim-full of self belief and determination. Both those qualities have seen the 27-year-old climb from labourer to project manager in the construction industry.

Of his big night next week, he said: “I keep picturing the ring walk and different scenarios.”

Aleksandrov has faced very good opposition and with 81 bouts under his belt (11 wins, four draws) looks a debut test for Davis. It’s no easy baptism.

Troy Jones stopped him, Andrew Robinson outpointed him and current British middleweight champ Nathan Heaney registered a KO courtesy of body shots.

I have discovered Davis, who has a one-and-a-half year old daughter, can talk the talk. On Thursday, black tie patrons at the Excelsior will find out if he can walk the walk.

Omar, chiselled and muscular, certainly looks the part. From Birmingham, he played basketball at a high level, turned to boxing and won both his bouts for Aston ABC by stoppage before his job took him to London.

Covid lockdown prevented Omar from continuing his amateur journey. When he returned to the West Midlands, Davis, who now lives in Walsall, took the giant leap of faith and decided to chance his arm among the pros.

“When my daughter was born, something hit me, I could smell it,” Omar said. “Something told me, ‘if you have a talent and skill don’t sit on it’.”

“When I first walked into the (Eastside) gym, there was a bit of ‘imposter syndrome’,” he admitted. “I took a liking to Jon (Pegg), I could see he was a genuine man. I took confidence, I wasn’t out of place.

“Jon saw me and said, ‘let’s enhance the things you have’. Yes, some things are wrong, but what’s right with me he’s trying to enhance.

“Fans can expect excitement. I’m very awkward and unconventional, but I believe it is very nice to watch.

“I love to move, I love to dance. The power is real.”

He may be an unknown commodity, but Davis believes he can be the boxer who came from the blind side and bagged major honours.

“I have a lot of self-belief,” he added, “but I always like to have something to back it up, what me and my friend call the ‘receipts’ – the hard work that has to be put in.

“I gain confidence from the work I put in. I’m definitely taking it fight by fight and to achieve major honours you have to put in the hard work.

“I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t believe I had something special.”

We’ll know more about what Omar Davis brings to the table after Thursday night.

But the man himself warned: “I’m having a good time and enjoying myself. They say a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter and I’m very happy.”