Expectant Father Davies Ready To Rumble
Ryan ‘Stewart’ Davies will be left holding the baby after he’s completed his next ring assignment next month.
Davies is due to become a father later in the year and has got engaged to his partner, Kayleigh, so will be having some time out.
Before a spell on the sidelines, ‘Rhino’ will first step through the ropes for a contest at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday March 9.
The 26-year-old features on BCB Promotions’ show at their most often used venue, with the bill titled ‘Pride of the Midlands.’
He will then look on with a keen interest as Midlands super lightweight champion Connor Parker makes his first defence against Cori Gibbs at the top of the bill.
Davies is keen to become a challenger at 140lbs and, with the main event doubling up as an eliminator for the British title, may find the area belt vacant upon his return.
He’ll first look to record an eighth pro win from nine pro bouts, with just one defeat on points for a British challenge strap at welterweight against the experienced Rob Hunt.
He’s outpointed Jamie Quinn and Chris Adaway since then, adding to four over-the-distance victories before facing Hunt. He scored his only TKO over Andrej Capur on his debut.
The former kickboxer, from Tividale, remains involved in his former calling and still works as an instructor at Oldbury’s School of Black Belts.
He’s registered for pro boxing as ‘Stewart Davies’, using his middle name as his first as there’s another Ryan Davies in the paid ranks.
‘Stewart’ said: “I want to put on a massive performance, as it will be my last for a few months. I’ve built up some momentum again and I want to keep pushing for a title shot.
“I don’t really have an opponent I’d prefer for the Midlands, I’ll go in there with anybody to get to that belt. I’m a handful for anyone at that weight.
“I’ll be a big super lightweight and I’m getting down to the limit. The pounds are coming off, all of the time, and I’m getting fitter and fitter.
“I’ve changed the way I train, I’ve made my strength and conditioning more about cardio conditioning and explosive thrusts of power. I’m still feeling strong.
“I’ve gone to points the last two times, the first guy just sat back a lot and waited for me, so I just out-boxed him. It was a lot different with Adaway.
“I’ve never gone in with someone like him, his movement made him tricky and he’s got long arms for the size of him. It made me think and I think I needed that.
“As soon as I got on the inside, I did well with the body shots which I used to be well-known for in kickboxing. It was a good work out for me to have.
“I don’t dwell on the past. In a sense, I’m glad I lost to Rob. If I’d beaten him, I’d have stayed at welter and that’s not where I’m supposed to be. I’m a super lightweight.”
Former British middleweight champion Tommy Langford is chief support for the top liner, as he moves up to super middleweight.
The Devon-born Brummie, 29, staged two fantastic slugfests with Jason Welborn for the Lonsdale belt last year.
Halesowen’s Lennox Clarke prepares for a double header still ranked in Britain’s super middleweight top 10.
Reigning Midlands middleweight ruler and English title challenger Tyler Denny, from Rowley Regis, is scheduled for his 14th outing as a pro.
Talented welterweight Tommy Ghent, from Coseley, has racked up eight victories (three TKOs) without reply but hasn’t boxed in nearly a year.
Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker, a protege of the legendary Ricky Hatton, has a hat-trick of paid successes. The Merridale Boxing Club graduate turned over last September.
A fourth win will also be the target of Burntwood’s Troi Coleman. ‘The Hawk,’ a former kickboxer, has three points verdicts under his belt so far.
Lightweight prospect Connor Lee Jones, of Brierley Hill, appears for the third time as a pro with two wins under his belt, both over the distance.
Black Country girl Kirstie Bavington, from Wolverhampton, completes the card with one success and a draw from her two paid affairs.
Tickets, priced at £35 standard or £65 VIP ringside with a buffet and waitress service, are on sale now from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900. It’s £40 for entry on the door.
