03.04.07 – By Brad Marchetti: KEA Boxing Promotions has put together a stellar Boxing show for April 11th at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. One of the rising stars of the light-heavyweight division Dyah “Ali” Davis, 25, (9-0-5 KO’s) will be featured on the card. Davis is the son of 1984 Olympic Gold medalist and once great prizefighter Howard Davis Jr. Howard trains Dyah at his MMA gym in Coconut Creek, Florida. After witnessing the Vitali Klitschko vs. Lennox Lewis fight in 2003, Dyah sensed that boxing was his calling and he decided to drive down from New York to pursue a career in pugilism with his father in his corner. Despite having no amateur experience, Dyah is a physical specimen with lots of upside..
Brad Marchetti: Dyah thanks for doing this interview for Brickcityboxing.com and EastSideBoxing.com. Despite not having any amateur background you have compiled a perfect 9-0 record. What do you think has been some keys to your early success?
Dyah “Ali” Davis: Dedication. Intensity. I knew when I moved down here to South Florida that I wanted to fight at a high level. Since I began my career I started sparring with quality guys. I’ve already had a chance to spar with Lou Del Valle, Ismail Kone, Bernard Hopkins before his fight with Taylor. I’ve been training around good fighters.
Marchetti: What would you consider your best punch?
Davis: My left hook is my best punch. My right hand is also dangerous though.
Marchetti: What boxers do you model yourself after?
Davis: …Ali. I liked his hand and foot speed, and ring movement. Roy Jones Jr. for his showmanship and style. I have learned to watch the technically sound guys too like Hopkins, De La Hoya, and Mayweather. I have a lot of natural ability to get by on, but I’m trying to become a technician with solid skills. Been working hard to improve my technique.
Marchetti: What is it like to have your dad, a world-class fighter at one time, at your disposal?
Davis: It benefits me so much, in the gym and outside the gym with life experiences. In the ring he always has good advice for example he told me “Don’t let him put bullets in the gun” meaning not to let my opponent set his feet and load up his punches. Just little things like that where he provides great strategic advice. It really can’t get any better than having him here.
Marchetti: So many father-son Boxing relationships fail. What do you feel like makes this relationship different?
Davis: I think a lot of times emotions play a big role in most past failed father-son training relationships. With my dad emotions are detached in the gym. He treats me just like any other fighter in the gym he wants to see succeed. I mean, once we’re outside the gym you know it’s like… love you dad and all that but in the gym it’s all business.
Marchetti: What would you like to say to all your fans at Brickcityboxing.com/EastSideBoxing.com and worldwide?
Davis: Thank you for all your support and continue to watch me come up and rise in the ranks. I will always give a good show and I want to give the fans their money’s worth when I step into the ring.
I would like to thank Danny Serratelli for setting up the interview with Howard and Dyah Davis.