Haye vs Bellew: Ohara Davies not interested in physical clash with Derry Mathews before the first bell
Tuesday 28 February 2017 17:59, UK
Ohara Davies has branded Derry Mathews as "unprofessional" after the super-lightweight rivals were nearly involved in a physical clash at Monday’s press conference.
The Hackney man will settle his dispute with Mathews on the David Haye vs Tony Bellew undercard this Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and there was a fiery confrontation when they met for the first time in Liverpool.
Angry words were exchanged as Davies came across Mathews before the press conference had even started, but 'Two Tanks' is happy to bide his time until the first bell this weekend before he throws a punch.
"We crossed paths downstairs and he tried to start on me," said Davies. "He was like 'let's fight, right here', but I'm a professional athlete. If we're going to fight, we should be getting paid for it.
"Let's wait until March 4 and we'll meet in the ring where it really matters."
The unbeaten 25-year-old has shrugged off the hostile reception he received from the Merseysider's home support and plans to silence them with a satisfying victory.
He said: "That's just part of the game. His fans, they really support him. I got booed the whole way and I expect to get booed on March 4, but that doesn't change the outcome. I will win the fight.
"Who wins the fight isn't determined by who has got the most fans. It's about who works the hardest in the gym and when it comes to boxing, I'm the hardest worker."
Davies has already earned a reputation for controversy, but insists boxing fans would see a very different person when he spends time away from the sport.
If security wasn't there, then Derry Mathews could have got himself into a lot of trouble.
"I feel like I am misunderstood," he said. "When I'm on camera, I'm talking about my opponent, so I come across as arrogant and aggressive, but that's what builds the fight. I don't think that reflects how I actually am as a person.
"I would never try to harm any other boxer outside of the boxing ring. I never try to have a scuffle or push during the head to heads. But it looked like Mathews was getting really aggressive. He kept on trying to push past the security and get to me. I think that was quite unprofessional of him.
"I think he did need security to hold him back, because he obviously doesn't know how to control himself. If security wasn't there, then Derry Mathews could have got himself into a lot of trouble."
