Westgarth's passing became the fourth UK fatality since 1986 and Davies, who has sparred the other man in the ring that night - Dec Spelman, said he couldn't justify carrying on when seeing the reaction of his loved ones.
Losing his last three fights and six from 16 pro contests, Davies was brutally honest about what he may achieve in the sport as the 29 year-old has decided against fighting again.
“I was watching the show on my phone and they said someone had been taken to hospital,” the Yorkshireman told Bob Westerdale of the Sheffield Star.
"What are the best careers for a good night’s sleep? Is work affecting your sleep? Research reveals which jobs support healthy sleep habits, and which work conditions do not. Dec has been a sparring partner of mine for years and I knew Scott from the time I was at Glyn Rhodes’s gym.
“Because it was the only 10-rounder on the bill I sort of knew it would be one of them. When I found out what had happened to Scott I just felt sick.
“I was gutted for both him and Dec. I felt really down, in myself. I started to think I would not want to be in either of their positions, it was awful. I knew I was playing Russian roulette and that I wouldn’t have the support of my wife Christie after what had happened.
“An English title is probably my level, but if I got £5,000 or whatever for that, is it worth risking my life for? - I knew what I had to do - pack in boxing.
“I don’t have a style like they teach at the Ingle gym, my head is always stationary and in punching range. I am there to be hit. It puts me more at risk," he added.
Realistically only idiots box, so it’s a tough decision to find any argument with.
A couple of pros I know have also scrapped their plans to box again.
It seems that this sad fatality has had quite an impact on the sport.
leejonesjnr wrote: ↑07 Mar 2018, 11:43
Realistically only idiots box, so it’s a tough decision to find any argument with.
A couple of pros I know have also scrapped their plans to box again.
It seems that this sad fatality has had quite an impact on the sport.
wouldnt say they were idiots, boxing attracts spirited young lads seduced by the glamour and the glory of the sport, before they know it they have had their amatuer career and are signing pro forms whilst thinking "how the hell did this happen" ? I dont know that many lads that actually sought out a pro career, most ams know practacally nothing about the pros or how to become one, you seem to drift along in the ams for a while and it just sort of happens, by this time youre too close to the game to see it for what it is, you will have the occasional moment maybe the night before a fight where you think "what the fcuk am i doing" ? but it wont be until you are out of the sport and a bit older and wiser till you can see boxing for what it is, i will always love the sport but christ almighty its a tough bastard game and i have the utmost respect for those guys with the gloves on.
Most boxers lack something, I respect his decision, deaths do put things in perspective, especially compared to the rewards.
This is not a statement to ban boxing, it's personal choice, but it is a brutal sport. People should remember this when they are quick to criticise fighters.
I think both fighters and fans know the risks but they are for the most part neatly brushed under the carpet because of the love of the sport- it takes a tragedy to bring those risks back to the forefront
Sounds like the missus had a stern word and he's taken it on board.
I'd do the same. If I had a bird that looked like that I'd work 120 hours a week cleaning toilets if she asked me, if it means i could come home to her every night.
Last edited by TheLeprechaun on 07 Mar 2018, 18:56, edited 1 time in total.
I think amateur boxing up to the age of 18 is a great activity and should be encouraged. Participating as an adult though is for mugs, even the ones who make money are mugs, Think the same about most sports to be honest. They are good for kids but adults should be using the self discipline and determination learnt in play to apply to more grown up pursuits. IMO of course.
leejonesjnr wrote: ↑07 Mar 2018, 11:43
It seems that this sad fatality has had quite an impact on the sport.
I think the fact that Westgarth actually won his fight but still suffered terminal damage is what has made this tragedy hit home more than most previous incidents.
Sklar wrote: ↑08 Mar 2018, 04:13
I think amateur boxing up to the age of 18 is a great activity and should be encouraged. Participating as an adult though is for mugs, even the ones who make money are mugs, Think the same about most sports to be honest. They are good for kids but adults should be using the self discipline and determination learnt in play to apply to more grown up pursuits. IMO of course.
Surely an odd attitude to have across all sports? Boxing yes to an extent; it's inherently dangerous. But surely you can't think a child who is good at football going on to earn more than he could in 99.999% of all jobs as an adult before being able to retire comfortably in his mid-30's is a mug?
Sklar wrote: ↑08 Mar 2018, 04:13
I think amateur boxing up to the age of 18 is a great activity and should be encouraged. Participating as an adult though is for mugs, even the ones who make money are mugs, Think the same about most sports to be honest. They are good for kids but adults should be using the self discipline and determination learnt in play to apply to more grown up pursuits. IMO of course.
Surely an odd attitude to have across all sports? Boxing yes to an extent; it's inherently dangerous. But surely you can't think a child who is good at football going on to earn more than he could in 99.999% of all jobs as an adult before being able to retire comfortably in his mid-30's is a mug?
It seems a ridiculous statement until you look at the odds of success, particularly with football. Mug punters come in on the horses now and again, they are still mugs. It's kid's play that has been turned into corporate money shifting. The blokes running about the pitch are only a little less daft than the blokes paying to watch.
Sklar wrote: ↑08 Mar 2018, 07:15It seems a ridiculous statement until you look at the odds of success, particularly with football. Mug punters come in on the horses now and again, they are still mugs. It's kid's play that has been turned into corporate money shifting. The blokes running about the pitch are only a little less daft than the blokes paying to watch.
I genuinely can't work out what you're saying. It seems to be 'you're a mug if you play sport at any level after you leave childhood even if you're a multi-millionaire professional.'
Sklar wrote: ↑08 Mar 2018, 07:15It seems a ridiculous statement until you look at the odds of success, particularly with football. Mug punters come in on the horses now and again, they are still mugs. It's kid's play that has been turned into corporate money shifting. The blokes running about the pitch are only a little less daft than the blokes paying to watch.
I genuinely can't work out what you're saying. It seems to be 'you're a mug if you play sport at any level after you leave childhood even if you're a multi-millionaire professional.'
Pretty much. Money isn't everything. Wow you have a Ferrari and a mansion for kicking a ball about, now what? It's not exactly cultured is it?
Sklar wrote: ↑08 Mar 2018, 07:15It seems a ridiculous statement until you look at the odds of success, particularly with football. Mug punters come in on the horses now and again, they are still mugs. It's kid's play that has been turned into corporate money shifting. The blokes running about the pitch are only a little less daft than the blokes paying to watch.
I genuinely can't work out what you're saying. It seems to be 'you're a mug if you play sport at any level after you leave childhood even if you're a multi-millionaire professional.'
Pretty much. Money isn't everything. Wow you have a Ferrari and a mansion for kicking a ball about, now what? It's not exactly cultured is it?
Sklar wrote: ↑08 Mar 2018, 04:13
I think amateur boxing up to the age of 18 is a great activity and should be encouraged. Participating as an adult though is for mugs, even the ones who make money are mugs, Think the same about most sports to be honest. They are good for kids but adults should be using the self discipline and determination learnt in play to apply to more grown up pursuits. IMO of course.
Nah sports are great hobbies, some people work all week and waste their days off sitting at home watching shite on telly or down the pub pissing their money away, much better to take up a sport.
I have total respect for all boxers, it's a dangerous sport and it takes guts to do it.
That being said, I wouldn't want to do it at any sort of high level unless I had certain attributes, i.e. great defence and great punch power to get me out of problems if a fight was hard.
I really wouldn't want to be someone without a great dig or a great defence, who ends up having to go to war in the gym and at leisure centre level fights - to me that's when it gets dangerous.
Fair play to Ben Davies for realising his level and that there's no point putting his life in danger when he might not have the attributes to go much further, a lot of fighters don't have the self-awareness to realise that. His missus is fit as, always helps doesn't it!
That's the truth, for every floyd mayweather, or Canelo, there's 10,000 who barely make a living from the sport, or certainly not a lot to justify the risks involved.
There are many wonderful things about boxing, but the truth is, it is also ugly and brutal.
I remember after the Watson and McClellan tragedies came along I had a very hard time justifying my continuing to watch the sport. I came very close to falling out of love with it.
If Ben feels that way, then he's made the right decision, it's a dangerous enough sport, without entering a contest in that frame of mind. Good luck to him.
Coco wrote: ↑07 Mar 2018, 15:16
Most boxers lack something, I respect his decision, deaths do put things in perspective, especially compared to the rewards.
This is not a statement to ban boxing, it's personal choice, but it is a brutal sport. People should remember this when they are quick to criticise fighters.
you say most boxers lack something, and being an ex pro you are better qualified than most to say that.
Wouldn't it also be fair to say that most boxers believe that tragedies won't happen to them and that they are not going to be one of the unfortunate ones?
Or do they just put tragedies out of their minds completely? I mean ordinary people don't drive their cars thinking about the possibility of being in a bad accident.
jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑09 Mar 2018, 09:41
That's the truth, for every floyd mayweather, or Canelo, there's 10,000 who barely make a living from the sport, or certainly not a lot to justify the risks involved.
There are many wonderful things about boxing, but the truth is, it is also ugly and brutal.
I remember after the Watson and McClellan tragedies came along I had a very hard time justifying my continuing to watch the sport. I came very close to falling out of love with it.
If Ben feels that way, then he's made the right decision, it's a dangerous enough sport, without entering a contest in that frame of mind. Good luck to him.
Good post James. I've questioned myself a lot over my love for the sport but at the end of the day you don't choose boxing, it chooses you. You can't help but love it! Imagine trying to stay away and blank it? You'd go mad lol
Coco wrote: ↑07 Mar 2018, 15:16
Most boxers lack something, I respect his decision, deaths do put things in perspective, especially compared to the rewards.
This is not a statement to ban boxing, it's personal choice, but it is a brutal sport. People should remember this when they are quick to criticise fighters.
you say most boxers lack something, and being an ex pro you are better qualified than most to say that.
Wouldn't it also be fair to say that most boxers believe that tragedies won't happen to them and that they are not going to be one of the unfortunate ones?
Or do they just put tragedies out of their minds completely? I mean ordinary people don't drive their cars thinking about the possibility of being in a bad accident.
Most smokers figure they won't get lung cancer. Its human nature to ignore risks.
Coco wrote: ↑07 Mar 2018, 15:16
Most boxers lack something, I respect his decision, deaths do put things in perspective, especially compared to the rewards.
This is not a statement to ban boxing, it's personal choice, but it is a brutal sport. People should remember this when they are quick to criticise fighters.
you say most boxers lack something, and being an ex pro you are better qualified than most to say that.
Wouldn't it also be fair to say that most boxers believe that tragedies won't happen to them and that they are not going to be one of the unfortunate ones?
Or do they just put tragedies out of their minds completely? I mean ordinary people don't drive their cars thinking about the possibility of being in a bad accident.
It's a double edged sword, while it's true that fighters think they are a bit invincible and it won't happen to them, on the other hand anyone who has been in the gym and done a bit of sparring soon realises that it's a brutal sport.
These tragedies are pretty rare so it's not too hard to put it out of your mind but then it does hit home when it happens.
This is why I say that fighters are usually lacking something! Normal folk don't fight for a living!
Coco wrote: ↑07 Mar 2018, 15:16
Most boxers lack something, I respect his decision, deaths do put things in perspective, especially compared to the rewards.
This is not a statement to ban boxing, it's personal choice, but it is a brutal sport. People should remember this when they are quick to criticise fighters.
you say most boxers lack something, and being an ex pro you are better qualified than most to say that. Wouldn't it also be fair to say that most boxers believe that tragedies won't happen to them and that they are not going to be one of the unfortunate ones?
Or do they just put tragedies out of their minds completely? I mean ordinary people don't drive their cars thinking about the possibility of being in a bad accident.
That's definitely the mindset I had when I used to race motorbikes, I thought about it too much after a couple of crashes and it scared the shit out of me to the point where the adrenaline buzz just became outright fear and I ended up packing it in not long after.
