Ohara Davies confident of victory against Josh Taylor in Glasgow
Wednesday 31 May 2017 10:17, UK
Ohara Davies insists he holds no animosity towards Josh Taylor and is looking forward to the challenge of fighting in Scotland as two unbeaten records are put on the line.
The two boxers faced off at their official media conference on Tuesday to promote the upcoming super lightweight bout in Glasgow on July 8.
Taylor (9-0-KO8), the Commonwealth super lightweight champion, will be fighting in Glasgow for the first time in his professional career against Davies (15-0-KO12) who is the WBC Silver belt holder.
Davies maintained a cool head throughout the press conference despite Taylor's efforts to entice the Englishman into a verbal battle.
"It's good to be fighting in Glasgow in July. Josh is a good fighter but that's why I am in this game, I don't want to fight bums," Davies said. "People have been saying Taylor is the man out there to beat so that's who I want to fight. I've wanted this fight for some time so I believe I can beat anyone and will do the business.
"Josh Taylor is a good fighter, I can't deny that, but I don't hate him despite what's being said and I'll continue to say what I want on social media."
Taylor is aware of Davies' ability and power but is confident he will prove he is the better boxer against the 25-year-old Londoner.
"I know he's dangerous as he can punch," said Taylor. "You've got to give him some credit for having had 12 knockouts from 15 fights so I'm not stupid enough to just blank him out.
"I'm going to have to be smart, be patient and outbox him. He's maybe had more fights than me in the pros but I had about loads more fights than him as an amateur, against a lot of different styles. I just want to prove I'm a far better boxer than he is."
Davies, who wore sunglasses for the entire duration of the press conference, has been calling Taylor out since the Scot stopped Dave Ryan to become Commonwealth champion in October, and Taylor said he was surprised by Davies' reluctance to talk himself up but believes it was all just part of his act.
"He just wants to be the big superstar coming in with his shades on. Firstly it was raining outside and secondly we are indoors so what's that all about?" Taylor told the Edinburgh Evening News. "I took his glasses off [during the face-off], looked into his eyes and said 'you're getting chinned'. But even then he just stood there and said nothing."
Taylor has fond memories of Glasgow having won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 in what was his last bout as an amateur.
"I was pleased with the turnout and the backing I got," he said. "I'm glad to be boxing in Glasgow as it's just along the road from Edinburgh and somewhere different. But I'm hoping a few of my fans will travel through for it. I definitely want to tap into Glasgow and the rest of Scotland as it can only raise my profile."
