The career of Liam Davies continues to go from strength to strength. On March 16 the 27-year-old bantamweight retained his unbeaten record, 16-0 (8 KOs), with an impressive second round stoppage win over Erik Robles which also earned him the IBO strap. In an interview with Boxing News Davies spoke candidly about why he believes he deserves a big fight, grieving for the loss of his grandfather, the role his mum and dad have played in his life and more.
BN: How do you feel after the win against Erik Robles?
LD: Iโm really happy. It went to plan and Iโm buzzing. Just want to keep it going now. Itโs not the end yet. A good win to get my foot in the door and hopefully now get a big fight like I feel like I deserve.
BN: Throughout your camp for the Robles fight did you anticipate the fight would end so early?
LD: Before a fight you go in like itโs going to be a hard night and maybe youโre going to be hurt once or twice but I know what Iโm about, I know how much I want it. I know Iโve got it in me to pull through. Against a Mexican I didnโt go in thinking the first couple of shots I land are going to take him out. I think that would have been the wrong attitude to go in with. I always knew Iโm very strong and if I hit them clean, theyโre going to struggle. No matter how tough you are if I hit you on the button itโs going to take anyone out, I believe.
BN: Your last three fights have ended in the first round, the fifth and the second round. But prior to that you had three fights that had gone the distance. Whatโs been the secret to these last three fights?
LD: The dedication in the gym. The hard work Iโve been putting in. Dedicating my life to boxing, doing everything right. The diet, making the weight right, the hard hours in the gym, the long hours. Itโs a recipe for it. Itโs pretty simple really.
BN: Are you feeling on top of the world?
LD: Iโm really happy but I just feel like thereโs more to do. Not too happy. I havenโt got to where I want to be. I havenโt done half of what I wanna do. Iโm happy and Iโve got myself in a good position. Itโs about the promoters getting behind me and my manager pushing for the right thing.
BN: Have there been any discussions about you fighting on the Five vs. Five event involving Queensberry and Matchroom fighters?
LD: No discussions at all. Only me saying it. Probably ainโt gonna happen. It is what it is. That bit is outta my control so Iโm not going to lose sleep over it. If it comes, Iโll be happy and Iโm ready but if it doesnโt it is what it is. Itโs got to be something big. Donโt be trying to chuck one of these English guys, that have got nothing, at me. Give me a big name.
BN: Thereโs been more speculation about you fighting Dennis McCann but is that what you want?
LD: I donโt mind, I just want the right payment. I think itโs still a good fight. The only way it makes sense to me is big money. Iโd take Dennis McCann out.
BN: Did you happen to watch his fight against Brad Strand?
LD: I watched a bit in the changing room while I was warming up. Not impressed at all. Going on like heโs done something mega. Heโs avoided me. If he had big balls he could have fought me for the British and European, rather than begging me to step aside and let them fight for it. I think that speaks volumes to be honest.
BN: So, basically you want a big fight next that is a big boost for your career and pays well.
LD: A world title eliminator, something like that. Something needs to make sense. I took all these fights; Iโve always took the biggest fights. Iโve come through them and now itโs time for these guys to do something for me and give me what Iโm asking for. I think the Robles fight happened because no-one wanted it and my manager said weโll fight him. I donโt think everyone was keen and I said Iโd beat him and to make the fight happen.
BN: The IBO title isnโt one of the main four belts but how does it make you feel to have it?
LD: People can say what they want but itโs a world title and Iโm a world champion. Itโs not one of the four major ones โ I get that, I agree โ but no-one can take it away from me. If you didnโt have [Naoya] Inoue that could have easily been for one of the major ones. The guy was a legit champion himself. People can say what they want but I ainโt gonna listen. I ain’t satisfied and saying Iโm happy and Iโll retire. Iโd like one of the four major belts now. This gets my foot in the door and in a great position to be able to call these big guys out which I would have fought before. Now people are realising itโs a real possibility.
BN: Have there been any discussions as to when you will be out next?
LD: Iโm going to talk to George Warren and see. I know they said about the Shabaz Masoud fight but other than it being in Saudi and [for] big money Iโm not really interested. To me itโs got to be a big name. Nonito Donaire or someone like that. Something big. [Murodjon] Akhmadaliev or an eliminator. Going to Australia and fight Sam Goodman. Beggars canโt be choosers but Iโm going to start saying something now and I want something big because I just fucking deserve it.
BN: Having read about it in another article I know the death of your grandfather still hurts you. Are you coping with that?
LD: Itโs something that will always hurt me. I spent a lot of time with my Grandad. I miss him very much. It was nice to go to the grave and have that moment taking the belt there saying Iโd done it. Iโve still got plenty more to do. Every time I go, I say, โWeโve got to carry onโ. Thatโs what Iโm gonna do. Iโm at peace with it but I just miss him, itโs my grandfather, and I always will. I mention him a lot and Iโll mention him until the end. I donโt want anyone to feel sorry for me I just want to show my love and if heโs up there listening, I hope he can hear me and hope heโs proud. The boxing helps me because thatโs my purpose and thatโs the place I can find no stress and not think about it. My mum and dad had me young. They were 17 when they had me and when I was young and growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandfather. He was a real father figure to me. Taught me the ways of life. I still find myself saying things he told me as a young kid now, talking in his slang. Itโs something that will be with me forever. The way he helped bring me up is definitely something I take into how I bring my kids up.
BN: How does your mum and dad feel about your success?
LD: My dadโs in my corner. Spend a lot of time in the gym with him. Iโm lucky because we get a lot of hours together. Iโm the oldest and my little sisterโs 10 years old and says, โDadโs always with Liamโ. But itโs work. Iโm great friends with my dad. Heโs been there for me a lot; heโs kept me on track and been a great father to me. Nights like that Iโm sure he thinks itโs all worth it, but he doesnโt say too much. Heโs not jumping for joy. Itโs a case of good job and carry on, and thatโs the way my Grandad was. As much as itโs nice to have a โwell doneโ I think itโd just be weird now. Heโd be saying, โYouโve only done two rounds, make sure youโre running afterโ and stuff like that. My mumโs over the moon. My mum had me young and we had hard times when she met her partner after. It wasnโt great and we spent time in refuges. I remember going to the food bank with my mum a few times. Times have changed and itโs all worth it with nights like that. Having her ringside and sheโs crying her eyes out after. Happy tears. Bringing good times back. My mum had a lot of hard times, bless her.
BN: Naoya Inoue v Luis Nery. How do you see it going?
LD: I expect Inoue to stop Nery in six rounds. Neryโs small and heโs there to be hit. I donโt think heโs very strong. Itโll be a nice comfortable night for Inoue. Nery donโt like body shots.