Ohara Davies was raised in the Hackney which has the third highest crime rate of any London Borough.
He’s come up the hard way and admits that had he not turned to boxing then he’d probably be dead or in prison, his own words as chronicled in a local paper.
Davies, despite his new fame as a boxer tipped for the top, still lives in Hackney where records show there is a gun crime incident every two days.
The 25-year-old comes to Glasgow’s Braehead Arena on Saturday, July 8 to face southpaw Josh Taylor, nicknamed The Tartan Tornado.
Both men are big punchers and are unbeaten. Taylor has an unblemished nine-fight record and Davies has won all 15 of his bouts since turning professional.
One is going to go home bruised and battered and with a career at the crossroads.
Something has to give in Glasgow. Davies, who fights in an orthodox style, admits this fight so early in his career is a gamble.
It’s also a huge gamble for Taylor and the pair have traded insults on social media.
It is Bad Blood at Braehead but the Englishman is, however, respectful of his opponent despite the previous verbal sparring.
He knows a hostile welcome awaits him in Glasgow and he is prepared having been in the city to watch several previous fights.
Davies said: “I can beat anybody. If he (Taylor) is the best put me in with the best and I’ll prove I can beat him. Get it on.”
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