British super bantamweight champion Liam Davies says his speedy rise to a world title shot has not surprised him, despite working as a bin man just three years ago.
The Telford-born star is one of the most promising fighters in his division after blitzing his way to 15 straight wins in one of the most incredible rags to riches stories in the sport, having worked as a refuse worker during the pandemic to make money and keep himself active.
In the space of a few years, Davies managed to keep his boxing dreams alive by training at the end of gruelling shifts before earning enough money and sponsorships to take up the sport as a full time job – with Frank Warren’s Queensbury signing him up.
He already managed to claim seven belts, including the English bantam and super bantam belts, the WBC and WBO international belts and WBU European, as well as the British superbantam.
After dominant wins over Jason Cunningham – who he stopped in a round – and Vincenzo La Femina, he has now set up an opportunity to win the IBO world super bantam weight belt.
Former bin worker Liam Davies says he is not surprised he is fighting for a world title so soon
Davies insisted he always felt he could reach this level, even during the tough times when he worked on the bins, and his message is resounding: He wants more.
‘I’ve always believed in myself but at the same time, I definitely would have been hoping it was true,’ he told Mail Sport.
‘But you’re always unsure. Nothing is guaranteed in this life and the hard work and dedication I’ve put in, I’m thankful to be here. Now I’m here. I want more.
‘The aim always started as the British title, but I remember when I won the British title [in 2022], within a few hours I was like this saying “it’s not enough, I want more”, so I continued to grind away. I’m grateful to be honest, because there’s thousands of boxers in the world and not many are in a world title fight. Right now the mindset is I need to win it.’
Davies is a huge role model for young fighters everywhere having come through serious hardship and a challenging upbringing while growing up in Telford, but has still found a way to come within an inch of being a world champion.
His advice to the next generation? Dig deep and make every day count.
The Telford-born star has the chance to snap up the IBO super bantam world title against Erik Robles Ayala
‘My advice is, well, you only get one shot in this life. And you got to make it count. dig in deep. There’s gonna be days you don’t want to do it. I’ve had many and they’re the days that count most. Dream big and work hard and don’t stop till you’ve got it because ever. Anything’s possible.’
Should Davies record his 16th straight win over Ayala – who has just one career defeat from 16 fights – his next challenge would be a daunting one: taking on feared pound-for-pound super bantamweight king Naoya Inoue, the Japanese star who holds the other four world title belts.
Davies insisted he would jump at the opportunity to face Inoue and is not fazed by the challenge, and would even travel to Japan to take him on on home soil.
‘Definitely I would [face Inoue in Japan]. 100 per cent. I’d snap your hand off. To be the best, you’ve got to fight the best. I have always wanted to say I’m the best in the division. It’s a big task, but I’d love a shot and an opportunity because we all bleed.
Davies is targeting a huge clash against pound-for-pound super bantam great Naoya Inoue should he get past Ayala
‘I wouldn’t say I’m calling him out or anything like that, but I’d love a shot to see where I am and a big performance against Robles will put me closer to that.’
Before Inoue, Davies will be focusing fully on Ayala, a tough challenge given he has won each of his last nine fights.
‘I’m just prepared for anything,’ Davies said. ‘Anything that comes I’m prepared for it. Yeah, he’s a tough fight and I hope he brings it and I’m going to match him and beat him in every department.
‘I just feel like this is meant to be for me, be a world champion and do big things in the sport. My family tree [in boxing] goes way back. My great granddad, my granddad, my father. No one’s quite taken it to this level.
‘I want to secure a decent legacy for myself. Put Telford on the map, show the youngsters around the communities and in the boxing gym, and the fans [what’s] possible.’