Davies, who is undefeated in 15 fights, enjoyed the hostile reception that he received from the Liverpudlian supporters as he entered the 02.
“I loved getting booed; it was amazing. People I’ve looked up to, Floyd Mayweather and Muhammad Ali, got booed,” Davies told Sky Sports.
“The people booing me thought I’d go home crying, but I went home having achieved one of my lifelong dreams.”
Bad guy persona
The insults, trash talking and flamboyant persona are not all as shallow as they may seem. Davies was involved in drugs and gangs as a youngster and now claims that playing the bad guy role motivates troubled youths to channel their energy into something positive.
“It got me into trouble at school, before boxing,” Davies said. “For years I was involved in gangs, in trouble, because I always had to be the wild one. As a pro athlete I can channel that into something that will get me paid.
“People from my area like confrontation on the streets so, when they see me, it will inspire them because I haven’t changed who I am as a person.”
Unbeaten
Davies started out as an amateur at the Repton Boxing club under the tutelage of legendary coach Tony Burns. The club is renowned for its emphasis on discipline and respect as key characteristics to be taught to the younger fighters.
Davies won every one of his amateur fights for Repton before turning pro, and he has continued on his unbeaten run on the major circuit.
People will say what they will about Davies’ persona, but it cannot be denied the talent that the young man possesses.