IMMOKALEE, FL. (January 28, 2016) – It has been about a month since Howard Davis Jr. passed away.
The former Olympic star and professional was one of the most well liked people in the boxing community. During the process of Davis falling ill, his son Dyah was by his side and he now vows to carry on the boxing legacy set forth by his father.
Davis of Coconut Creek, Florida will be back in the ring for the first time in a 17 months, will take on Edgar Perez on Sunday at the Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee.
Davis has been trying to get back in the ring sooner, but could not find anyone to step up and fight him.
“I was trying to get fights and I always am decent shape,”said the 34 year-old Davis.
“I guess that I am too much trouble for contenders and too dangerous for prospects. I guess that means I am high risk and no reward.”
When his father passed away on December 30, 2015, Davis began to get even more motivated about his career.
“I found my motivation with the passing of my father. His legacy will continue on through me. His spirit is in me. My father was my best friend. He always knew that I have the ability and now it is time to show the world that.”
With a possible fight on the horizon and his father living out his last days, Davis made the most of his time with Howard.
“My main objective in his last few weeks was to spend as much time as possible. We didn’t talk too much boxing. We watched some of his old tapes as we just saw the impact he made on so many people. It made me feel great to see the people who reached out following his passing. Lots of people reached out in so many ways.”
Dyah feels he has a new start in boxing as he has inked a deal with Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotions.
“I am fortunate that Marshall is giving me a shot. He has put on a lot of shows in the past couple years and I am looking for bigger fights. As seen by my record, I will fight anybody. It just seems everybody wants an easy route these days. My route is that I want to fight only big fights. I feel like I can get there by fighting the best. This is just a fight to get back in the mix of things. I really don’t know anything about him. I will get in there and take care of him.”
“The fans should look forward to see a new and improved Dyah Davis. My father’s spirit lives within and i will carry on his legacy.”
Davis – Perez is part of the undercard of a great night of boxing that will be showcased on PBC: The Next Round on Bounce TV. The telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT and is headlined by undefeated rising star Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin taking on Mexican brawler Jose De Jesus Macias in a 10-round super welterweight battle while welterweights Alex “El Pollo” De Jesus and Joseph Elegele meet in an eight-round showdown.