EDITOR’S LETTER
Some of the criticism aimed at Davies is understandable but it’s Taylor who deserves the attention
Davies made a rod for his own back
OHARA DAVIES is the latest battered and bruised boxer to meet the wrath of fans for deciding – while taking a shellacking – it’s probably for the best if he doesn’t get punched in the face again for a while. Increasingly, as the sport is showcased more than ever before, those unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of a beating will only be forgiven if they survive to the final bell, are knocked out cold, or are rescued by the referee after giving their all.
Many have suggested that Davies had more to give at the point he turned his back on the brilliant attacks of Josh Taylor in the seventh round. Afterwards he explained he couldn’t breathe due to blood clogging up his airwaves, and his final act was of both surrender and selfpreservation. He wanted – quite rightly, I’d say – to live to fight another day. At the time of the stoppage, shortly after being knocked down for the second time, it was clear that Taylor was vastly superior, and the hammering he was delivering would only get more severe. Davies, while perhaps not draining his reserves to the brink of complete collapse, knew there was no way he could win the fight and only further damage awaited. Therefore, on the surface at least, it again seems unfair to criticise a fighter for accepting that carrying on was pointless.
However, due to the persona Davies created for himself, the fans’ spite is more understandable than that which berated Kell Brook following his defeat to Errol Spence Jnr in May. In a sport like boxing – as Adrien Broner continues to find out – if you’re going to fire insults, be careful that the person you’re aiming them at doesn’t then beat you up. Furthermore, if you’re also going to insult the fans, make sure they’re not there to see you get beaten up. Or, better still, in a sport where there’s plenty of opportunity to prove your machismo in the ring, just don’t insult anyone.
Ultimately, and whether you like Davies or not, the important thing here – in this knife-edge sport we all adore – is that he retained his health and is in a position to put his wrongs right. And certainly, the whole event – from the pre-fight barbs to the humbling defeat inside the ropes – should provide the Londoner with plenty of lessons with which to improve both his public character and fighting skill.
Another consequence of Davies’ promises was that many fans felt shortchanged. They had expected the contest to be 50-50 as advertised, but it became 80-20 in Taylor’s favour as early as the third, and 99-1 at the time of the stoppage.
In truth, it was engrossing from start to finish, despite the Scotsman looking like a clear winner long before the end, and both fighters and teams should be applauded for having the courage to put their unbeaten records on the line during the formative years of their professional careers. Bottom line, irrespective of what went on before the opening bell, Taylor emerged as a bonafide star in the making.
And let’s not forget that while gleefully criticising the loser. In a similar way to Spence Jnr’s victory over Brook just under two months ago, there has been too much focus on the final seconds and not enough praise heaped on the fighting prowess that created them. Taylor – like Spence Jnr – aced his toughest examination with flying colours, and it is his excellence that should be the story of the fight. From the start, he dictated the distance, used expert footwork to glide in and out, and his punch selection exposed that at Davies’ disposal. Faultless he wasn’t, but as 10-fight professionals go, he’s one of the very best in the world. Just watch him go.
IF YOU’RE GOING TO FIRE INSULTS BE CAREFUL YOU DON’T THEN GET BEATEN UP