Liam Davies exclusive: I believe I’ll be a world champion
One thing becomes apparent after spending a decent amount of time talking to Liam Davies. The British and European super bantamweight champion doesn’t say things for effect. Davies defends his titles against former champion, Jason Cunningham, this weekend and is promising a big performance. For all the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.
“I believe in everything I say. This is my time and I do believe that I’ll do the business and a number on him,” Davies told 32Red. “I asked for this fight two years ago when he boxed Brad Foster and I was on the undercard. I asked for the winner back then and I wasn’t joking and I think it’s come at an even better time for myself. I’ve got that experience now, I believe in myself and just believe I’m the top dog. I believe I’ll be a world champion.
I want a spectacular performance here
“I’m training like a challenger. I want to look good doing this. I want a spectacular performance here. That’s what I’m looking for.”
Davies is a friendly, personable sort and isn’t shy about speaking his mind but in the build-up to this weekend’s big fight with the experienced Cunningham, the 27-year-old hasn’t been able to get his words out quickly enough.
His confidence has a solid base. Unbeaten Davies (13-0, 5 KO’s) has achieved a lot in only thirteen fights. A couple of spectacular knockouts established him as his one of the brightest stars in a packed super bantamweight division but his best performances have come in what appeared to be his toughest tests. He looked outstanding when outboxing the tricky Marc Leach to win the British title and totally defused the fiery Ionut Baluta to add the European belt to his collection.
“Two ends of the spectrum and I thought I dealt with them both comfortably,” he said. “That’s in the bank now and I’m not going anywhere. After this I want the Marlon Tapales [the unified world super bantamweight champion] fight. That’s what I’ve asked for. I’ve asked for the fight and I’ll do the business on him. I believe I’ll be a world champion within these next two fights.
“I hope he [Cunningham] is up for it and trained hard because I don’t want to hear any excuses. I hope he’s still got something in the tank. The best Jason Cunningham there is, I beat anyway. I’ve given him something to train for. He says he wants to smash my head in so let’s see what he can do.
He isn’t going to want it more than me
“I can’t see him outboxing me. He isn’t gonna out-punch or out-fight me. He isn’t going to want it more than me and whatever he does I’ll make sure I capitalise on it and shut him out.”
The fight with Cunningham already looked certain to be an entertaining scrap but the fiery build-up has moved it to a different level. Both fighters are smart, friendly and respectful but the pair haven’t stopped antagonising each other since the moment the fight was signed and the size and importance of the fight has brought out a different side of both men. With a potential world title shot on the table for the winner, Davies feels like he is the one who is more comfortable in the chaos.
“It’s not really out of character for me because I can give or take to anyone. If anybody is going to break or feel the pressure I do believe it’ll be him because he seems a bit rattled to me. I think I’ve done him a bit haven’t I? It’s all fun and games and all that matters is the night.”
Davies is the younger man. He is full of confidence and has wanted this fight for a long time. Cunningham is the decorated former champion. The experienced veteran who has been there and seen and done it all. As confident as he is, Davies is fully aware that he has to be aware of every little trick Cunningham may try and use and knows that he can’t afford to lose focus in the midst of what is certain to be a partisan home crowd.
“I’m the champion. I’m not falling into anything. I’m going to do it as smoothly as I like and he’s got to take the titles off me. Whatever games he wants to play, I’m comfortable with it,” Davies said confidently.
My confidence is even higher now
“At super bantamweight I’m a problem for anyone. I want to show my worth now and show that I am ready for the bigger fights. That all starts on Saturday. It’s my third back-to-back headliner. And it’s my fourteenth fight and you’ve got world champions who can’t sell out arenas in their hometown. It’s a blessing that people are getting behind me and I’m gonna make sure I don’t let anybody down. We’re gonna have another good night like the last two have been.”
“People talk about pressure and experience but I don’t understand what more experience I need now. I’ve been an underdog and headlined in my own town and I’ve come through. My confidence is even higher now because when I put the work in like I currently am doing, I believe I beat them all.”
If Davies is as good as his word and does beat Cunningham in impressive fashion he will successfully defend his British and European titles and elevate himself into world title contention. Incredibly, he will have achieved it all within 14 fights. It would be a remarkable achievement for a fighter who turned over with little fanfare and fought his way up from the small halls. Maybe – just maybe – he might start getting some wider recognition.
“I don’t take too much notice but when I stop and think I do think I deserve it. It’s not just the fights I’m taking. I’m selling out my hometown, I’m number one in Britain and top ten in the world. The job isn’t done yet though. Being number seven or eight in the world isn’t good enough. I want to be number one.”
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