Howard Davis Jr. What went wrong?

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 08 Jan 2005, 08:39

Former Lightweight and Light-Welterweight contender Howard Davis was the only USA Gold medal winner from the USA team not to win a professional World Title. Whilst his team mates such as Ray Leonard, Michael and Leon Spinks were making millions, Davis was always just missing out on the big wins.

As an amatuer Howard Davis was a real world beater and twice beat Aaron Pryor to win a place on the USA Olympic team and was tipped by many experts to have a great future in the paid ranks but it just didn't happen that way. Failed title shots against Jim Watt, Edwin Rosario and Buddy McGirt stooped him from joining his team mates as a pro World Champion.

What do you think went wrong?

As a Boxer he was a joy to watch, he really had some wonderfull skills right up there with the likes of a young Leonard or Benetiz in my opinion. Great fast accurate jab and flashy lightning quick combinations

But that wasn't quite enough for him to win the big ones. His chin was not the best, he was dropped many times, but usually got up to win, Also he also seemed to lack a bit of punching power. His career also had periods of inactivity, mybe his heart just wasn't in the game?

Maybe it was simply a case of his style didn't suit the rougher more physical pro game?

What do you think? Any thoughts or opinions?

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=000554

Tomato-Can · Post by **Tomato-Can** » 08 Jan 2005, 13:09

Saying he lacked a bit of power was generous KOJOE. Davis really could'nt break an egg. Combine that with a suspect chin and a style more suited for the amatuers and I can see why he always fell just short. Davis was a strict vegetarian and I always thought maybe a steak or two while training for his big matches would'nt have hurt.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 08 Jan 2005, 13:20

I didn't know Howard Davis was vegetarian.

Wasn't Edger Jofre as well?

I know Stevie Johnston the former WBC Lightweight Champion is a vegan.

Tomato-Can · Post by **Tomato-Can** » 08 Jan 2005, 15:38

Even though I followed boxing when Jofre was still in his prime, I know very little about him

so I don't know if he was a vegetarian or not.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 08 Jan 2005, 16:51

No chin. Was floored several times by non-punchers on the way up (I'm pretty sure even Vilomar Fernandez dropped him), and, seconds away from a points victory over Edwin Rosario for the WBC lightweight title, got nailed and floored. The 10-8 round allowed Edwin to retain.
Also iced in the first by Buddy McGirt.

lumpymo · Post by **lumpymo** » 08 Jan 2005, 19:19

I don't think Davis style which was well suited to the amatuers carried over into the pro ranks, and I also don't think he liked or could take the rough going of the pro's. He didn't have that killer/meaness in him it didn't seem to me, no real grind in him, although at the time I thought he won that fight with Rosario, and at one point buckled Rosarios knees and almost put him down.

cheers M.O.

crooked nose · Post by **crooked nose** » 11 Jan 2005, 15:15

Davis was victimized by all the flaws mentioned so far, but it's a shame to have to stamp "FAILURE" on his career. The main problem was his failure to adapt to the pros. He flicked combos, but rarely planted to land a solid shot. Frustrating to watch, especially vs. Rosario. He nailed Chapo with a right in the 3rd, buckled his knees and came close to dropping him. This after Rosario had decked Davis in the 2nd. Through the middle rounds, Davis built up points against a cautious Rosario. Finally, after a face-slapping pep talk in the corner, Rosario pressed the attack in the must-win 12th. Davis finally stood and traded. Twelve seconds to go, Rosario decks him with a short uppercut. Chapo wins a split. But even then, Davis strangely didn't show much anger or disappointment. Maybe he didn't have the mental make-up for boxing

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 11 Jan 2005, 16:20

crooked nose wrote:Davis was victimized by all the flaws mentioned so far, but it's a shame to have to stamp "FAILURE" on his career.

I would never dare do that, I hope my thread didn't sound like it.

I was just interested in starting a dicussion on why he never achieved in the Pro ring what his amateur career suggested.

crooked nose · Post by **crooked nose** » 11 Jan 2005, 22:17

No, I wouldn't call him a failure either, but an unlucky underachiever. Can't say he didn't try. He always worked hard and showed up in top condition. Despite no world title, he turned in some quality wins against tough opposition. Maybe earning six figures in his pro debut kinda took away the hunger. Or maybe a trainer other than his father would have made a difference.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 12 Jan 2005, 06:05

This artictle says what he's up to now, although it states that he was a world champion.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl- ... -headlines

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 15 Jan 2005, 17:11

topper123 wrote:This artictle says what he's up to now, although it states that he was a world champion.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl- ... -headlines

Thanks for that.