TalkingBoxing Interviews

09.03.2003

From Football to Boxing: Heavyweight Carl Davis
by Julius Stecker
      When you look at Carl Davis, you see a 6'5" and a 235 pound frame of pure muscle, you would think you are looking at the next great tight end in the National Football League. Some people would not guess that you are looking at the next big thing in the city of Chicago, and no he does not play for the Chicago Bears. Carl Davis is a sophisticated, athletic heavyweight prospect looking to make a name for himself. He will get a chance to begin to make that name for himself this Friday, September 5th in Rosemont, Illinois when he engages in a rematch with Sierhei Dychkou, whom he won a hard fought decision against back in July.

Davis, a former Chicago Golden Gloves Champion, describes his fighting style by calling himself, "a boxer puncher." He combines good punching power and great athleticism to off set his opponents attacks. While Davis is a very intimidating person to look at inside the ring, the thing that makes him so very unique is the fact that he once played professional football in the Candadian Football League and also in the Arena Football League. When I asked him about the difference between boxing and pro football he said, "Boxing put me in the best shape of my life, not football, boxing is much harder to train for then football. In football, at most, you are going full blast for is like 40 seconds, then you are given a break, in boxing you are active for 3 mintues straight....the training in boxing takes my body to the next level."

Davis's comparisions and contrasts of both sports were quite compelling. You see Davis is not the first person to make the switch from football to boxing. Guys such as Ed "Too Jones" Jones and Mark Gastineau have attempted to make the switch, but were unsuccessful in doing so. Davis though, seems to have a strong understanding of the sport and comprehends the fight game more so then those two guys ever did. It remains to be seen if Davis will become a legitimate world title contender, but when he says things like, "I think I am two years away from contending for a world title," you can not help but get excited about a guy with the talent and charsima level of Davis.

comments? send to Julius Stecker at jstecker@talkingboxing.com

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