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ISHMAEL DAVIS, a father of seven with six different mothers, finds himself facing a boxing opponent on a week’s notice, making it seem like a simple task!
The super-welterweight from Leeds has accepted a last-minute spot in two significant Saudi-backed events over the last three months, kicking off his debut against Ukraine’s tough Serhii Bohachuk this Saturday.
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Credit: Reuters
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Credit: PA
For the 29-year-old, staying in shape, being ready, and seizing opportunities has never been a challenge.
“It’s a crazy journey,” shared the ‘daddy cool’ fighter.
“Back in secondary school, I was quite popular, living life on the edge, and then all of a sudden, at 14, I became a father of twins!
“Now, with seven kids, they give my life purpose.
“Nobody’s perfect, and I’m not the ideal father by a long shot.
“I have six different mothers for my children, and they reside in various locations. My commitment to my sport often restricts my time with them.
“I might spoil them a little too much, attempting to balance the guilt I feel.”
Guilt has served as a significant transformative force for Davis.
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At 14, after being evicted from his home, he fell into gang culture and served two prison sentences.
Rather than fitting the usual ‘bad boy’ mold often exploited in UK boxing marketing, where many respectable individuals pose as tough guys, Davis aims to convey a narrative of overcoming past struggles.
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He expressed, “I truly lived that life, but I’m not here to glorify a tough-guy image.
“It was a phase I chose from the hand I was dealt, but now I want to inspire others that they can change their trajectory if they find themselves in the same situation.
“I harbor no resentment towards my opponents, nor do I take them seriously when they try to intimidate me, especially those from well-off backgrounds with prestigious schools and gyms.
“That’s how life should be; everyone deserves a sound upbringing.
“Having spent time in prison, where I’d hear the keys jingle and be told when I could or couldn’t wash—it stripped me of feeling clean—has molded me in a unique way.”
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“Still, I wish I could have sidestepped the challenges I faced.
“I strive to be the last British boxer equipped with such a journey.
“These experiences have made me who I am, and now I seek to guide younger individuals toward a brighter path.”
Davis has become a highly desired fighter after his participation in two back-to-back Riyadh Season events, one taking place on a lovely September evening at Wembley Stadium, and the other in the desert this upcoming weekend.
Nonetheless, he doesn’t take for granted the opportunities and warmth of winter he’s now enjoying—a stark contrast to his past experiences of homelessness and struggle before completing his education.
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He recalled, “At 14, I was thrown out of my home, moved to a hostel at 15, and by 16 had my own apartment.
“Nonetheless, I had difficulties paying for heating, forced to use a small electric heater all night right by my bed.
“Even before my prison experiences, there were occasions I felt trapped in my own flat, as if it were a prison.
“Such difficulties make my current successes feel almost surreal.
“It may seem small, but now I can keep the heating on and return to a warm home—these victories are incredibly satisfying.”
