BBN tackle all of the topical, talked about issues in boxing with the help of a panel of experts consisting of professional boxers, coaches, promoters, managers and others in the world of boxing.
What is your immediate reaction to the critics that have knocked Ohara Davies for ‘quitting’?
Tommy Langford British middleweight champion
“My opinion is that he did quit.
Josh Taylor boxed class, he was brilliant! It's so good to see the top-quality operator beating the brash, loudmouth.
My opinion is that he did quit because he found out that he couldn’t beat him. He was dropped twice and realised he couldn’t go anywhere. He saved himself a beating. He was blowing hard and getting hurt but he turned his back away and he quit. He's got that bully mentality and what does everyone say about bullies? They don’t like it when they get it back!”
Nathan WeiseSouthern Area contender
“Listen, until you’re in there, you need to keep your mouth closed. There’s too many people that have never been in the ring commenting on things they don’t know anything about but acting like they know everything.
OD is a raw novice, he only had 15 amateur fights and 15 as a pro, he got up quickly with his raw power. A lot of people wouldn’t have taken that fight.
The way he reacted hes still young and inexperienced, to judge him is a bit harsh. Ive seen a few comments but that’s the sport we’re in.”
Andy GatenbyRetired professional boxer
“I was disappointed with the stoppage as I expected more from Ohara but that’s boxing, anything can happen and he just didn't have an answer for Taylor, but credit to them both.”
Miles ShinkwinBritish light-heavyweight contender
“Until you’ve been in the ring and experienced fatigue while being constantly hit, you have no place talking about quitting.
Some people have a drive and determination that won’t allow themselves to give up, perhaps sometimes to their own detriment. Some will take a knee, say enough is enough and fight another day.
I’m not saying he did or didn’t quit but he earned a lot of money and still has his health.”
Ekow EssumanUnbeaten welterweight
“The Ohara Davies and Josh Taylor match was wicked!
Taylor proved too much for Davies in the end but he can bounce back from it, how he bounces back will determine if the critics’ knocking is of any relevance. A lot of good boxers have suffered from defeats early on and even midway through their career. Hopefully, he will learn from it.”
Tim RicksonTR Sports Agency
“Typical of the so-called fans to react like this, we hear it all the time. It’s another classic case of how little they really know about the sport and how most have never laced a glove before in their life.
I only train in boxing but I spar every week and that gives me just the slightest of insights into this sport and what professional fighters go through, although I can only imagine what those shots with the little gloves feel like!
Every boxer knows their own body and mind, and OD did the right thing for him. There’s no shame in losing to Josh Taylor in the way that he did at all, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for Davies in his career.”
Niall DoranFounder of Boxing News and Views
“Harsh to use the word ‘quit’ in the same sentence with any fighter, to be fair.
I think it was a case of Taylor just being too good for Davies at this stage of his career.”
Do you think that Josh Taylor can go on to mix it with the likes of Terence Crawford and win World titles?
Tommy LangfordBritish middleweight champion
“Terence Crawford fight is a bit early for him right now, Ricky Burns is the best and winnable fight out there for him. He’ll be too technical, too good and too fresh for Burns.
Can he go all the way? Well, he looks like the full package and I think he’ll be stepped up quite quickly now.
I think it’s wicked for Scottish boxing; him and Ricky Burns, if it did happen, would just be unreal!”
Nathan WeiseSouthern Area title contender
“Josh Taylor will go all the way. You can put him in with any 140-pounder in the world and he will beat them.
I can see him not only winning one world title but lots of world titles.”
Andy GatenbyRetired professional boxer
“I thought Taylor was class, he absolutely beat the heart out of Davies and it was a very enjoyable fight to watch.
I can see Taylor going on to world honours and Ohara will still smash a lot of people, domestically. I expect them both to be in good future fights. I hope Davies bounces back and the loss doesn’t mentally hold him back.”
Miles ShinkwinBritish light-heavyweight contender
“As for Josh, with his ability, shot selection and power, he can be as good as he wants. Getting him good, competitive fights now without throwing him in too deep will be the hardest battle.”
Ekow EssumanUnbeaten welterweight
“Josh Taylor is a class boxer and I believe he could mix it on the world level.
Being eased into it with the right fights, he did it as an amateur, it would be great for him to do it as a pro too!
I’d be excited to see him fair against the likes of the top ranked boxers at his weight!”
Tim RicksonTR Sports Agency
“I’m a fan, that’s for sure!
I love his style of boxing and hugely admire his talent. I definitely believe that he can go on to the world stage and cause a big stir up there.
These amateurs that have reached the top of the world already and collected multiple medals in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games are streets ahead of a lot of others in their industry.
I predicted that Taylor would be a class above Davies, where others were calling it a 50/50 fight, and that not only would he win but he would win well.
A top amateur is very often in a different league to other pros, not always as the pro game doesn’t suit every amateur so there’s always exceptions to this, but a lot of these outstanding amateurs are coming into the pro ranks now on a different level and are absolutely smashing it!”
Niall DoranFounder of Boxing News and Views
“One of the best performances from a professional boxing prospect I’ve seen in a long time.
If he can keep building and developing fight-on-fight on that performance, logically speaking, he can go all the way.”
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