Dyah Ali Davis Wants to fight
out of father's shadow
January 2, 2012
Photo: Don Hill
BOCA RATON - Dyah Ali Davis (20-2-1, 9
KOs) is fighting his way out of the long shadow cast by his father,
Howard Davis Jr., who captured a gold medal and was selected Outstanding
Boxer of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Dyah had hoop dreams
until realizing in high school that he wasn't heading to the NBA.
Despite his pedigree, he didn't even think about boxing until he was 23,
after watching the Lennox Lewis-Vitali Klitschko fight, which convinced
him that he should become a prize fighter.
Seven years later, he's the No. 9 rated 168-pounder by the WBC and WBA
preparing to headline the first ESPN Friday Night Fight broadcast of
2012, January 6 in against Alfonso Lopez (22-1, 17 KOs) in Key West,
Florida.
Howard was one of the greatest amateur boxers of all-time. A three-time
U.S. National lightweight champion, he won 125 of 130 overall matches,
including the 1974 World Championships. Even more significantly, though,
he was the brightest star on the fabulous USA Olympic Boxing Team, also
featuring fellow gold medalists Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael and Leon
Spinks, and Leo Randolph.
The only absence on his otherwise impeccable boxing resume is lack of a
world title as a professional. Howard had a 36-6-1 (14 KOs) pro record
in the eighties and fought three times. for the world title, losing a
1980 decision to Jim Watt in Scotland, dropping a 12-round split
decision in 1984 to Edwin Rosario in Puerto Rico, and getting stopped in
1988 by James "Buddy" McGirt.
Neither father nor son, however, has ever talked about what really fuels
Dyah's desire to capture a world title. In fact, learning about his
son's reason brought Howard to tears. "Winning a world title is what I
want for me and him," Dyah said. "When I do that we can cherish it
together. I don't think either one of us will be happier or prouder than
the other when that day comes.
"Ultimately, that's why I set out to do (win a world title), what my
father fell short of. I do believe he really won the fight against
Rosario. My father is the uncrowned champ and I want that crown for our
family. I hope to have that opportunity by the end of 2012, early 2013
at the latest. Two or three more fights but we'll be better to gauge
that timetable after my next fight."
Dyah understands but doesn't feel added pressure being the son of a
famous boxer. "Fans expect so much from you because you are your
father's son," he admitted, "but I don't even think about that anymore.
My father had his career and now it's my turn. The bottom line is it's
good to know I have his support and can learn from his experiences."
Howard was surprised when Dyah called years ago saying he wanted to
become a boxer. Dyah, who now lives in Fort Lauderdale, moved from New
York to South Florida in order to train with his father. Howard is a
personal/boxing trainer at the famed MMA gym, America Top Team, in
Coconut Creek, Florida.
"I would have been the first to tell Dyah that he didn't have it to
box," Howard commented. "I do see a lot of me in him: heart and
determination. He doesn't quit, trains hard, and never complains.
Sometimes I get a little frustrated watching him because he doesn't see
some things I see, but then I remember that he didn't have any amateur
experience at all. Dyah is very dedicated."
Howard didn't know his son is driven to succeed, where he failed,
winning a world title. "He's never mentioned that and I never wanted him
to win a world title for me," Howard continued. "I want him to win it
for himself. If that's motivation for him, great, and the day he
accomplishes that goal will be a blessing for both of us. I'm extremely
close to my son and love him a lot. I'm very emotional and to hear
this.... it's making me cry. I'm touched by his words."
Howard no longer trains his son, two-time world champion John David
Jackson is Dyah's chief second. He's promoted by DiBella Entertainment
and managed by EDB Sports (Elvis Crespo and Bob Pergament).
One person in Davis' corner has a unique perspective about 30-year-old
Dyah, Craig Gibson, who trained Howard for several of his pro fights.
They grew-up together and remain best friends. Over the years, Gibson
has worked with world champions Aaron Pryor, Mike McCallum, Riddick Bowe
and Livingstone Bramble, to name a few of the more notables.
"Dyah's got the DNA," noted Gibson, who is Davis' assistant trainer. "He
has his father's high intelligence and athleticism. Dyah is so gifted.
He has the ability of a world-class athlete but ability and skills are
different. When his ability and skill level are balanced, he will be an
elite boxer and, I believe, world champion in a year or so. He's also a
classy young man, just like his father. "
