It takes some doing to stand out on a seven-fight title fight card but Liam Davies did just that destroying Vincenzo La Femina in five thrilling rounds at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The 27-year-old was making the second defence of his European super bantamweight title that he won in November last year against Ionut Baluta. His first, a one round blow out of Jason Cunningham caught the boxing worlds attention and his second will have achieved more of the same.
His opponent came into the bout unbeaten in thirteen contests twelve of those in his native Italy with one win on the road last time out in Belgium against Geram Eloyan. This was a huge step up for the 29-year-old and he looked nervous as the first round got underway.
Size is something Davies normally has as a natural advantage, and he was looping shots in early with his long arms creating a difficult distance to close down for La Femina. The Telford man was continuing to be first to get his punches off and it came as no surprise that he rocked La Femina, sending him to the canvas in the third.
Sensing blood Davies dived in a little carelessly and was clipped with a left hook which put him down albeit a flash knockdown rather than a more damaging blow. It was an eye-opening moment for the Shropshire fans who had made the journey up the M6 but the advantage swung back his way putting La Femina down for the second time in the contest late in the fourth.
The Italian bravely made it to his feet but the respite in between rounds wasn’t enough for him to regain his legs and he was pinned against the ropes by Davies who unloaded a barrage of power punches causing referee Fabian Guggenheim to stop the fight in round 5.
“It was an experience to be put down the first time, I was overconfident came off the game plan and paid the price. It was an entertaining fight to watch, I said I was going to put him on spaghetti legs before and he was very tough and brought the best out in me. I’m so grateful for the team and all the fans who made the trip to come see me tonight.
“Tonight was another step, I’m enjoying it I dedicate my life to boxing I give it everything I have got, our last great champion in this division was Carl Frampton who is ringside tonight and I’m next”.
