Ishmael Davis is stepping into the spotlight on short notice, replacing Israil Madrimov to face Serhii Bohachuk in a 12-round co-feature bout on the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk 2 undercard this Saturday in Riyadh. Despite being the underdog, Davis is confident that his boxing skills will carry him to a decision victory over the hard-hitting Ukrainian.
Davis’s biggest challenge will be neutralizing Bohachuk’s pressure and knockout power. Bohachuk, ranked #6 in the world, has stopped 23 of his 24 victories, making him one of the most feared punchers in the division. "He’s a good pressure fighter. I don’t think he’s the most skilled, but he puts pressure on people. When he gets the respect he wants, people crumble," Davis told iFL TV. "He’s not going to be able to do that with me. I’m ready for a real war."
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Davis' lone professional loss came against Josh Kelly in a fight he admits he wasn’t fully prepared for. This time, Davis feels ready and focused, stating, "I know what this fight is for me. It’s a big opportunity. When I beat this guy, I don’t want a British title. I’m going down the world route."
The key to victory for Davis lies in avoiding Bohachuk’s traps and exploiting his perceived weaknesses. Davis believes Bohachuk is a “one-trick pony” who struggles on the inside, making him confident in his ability to outbox the Ukrainian. "I’m not going for the stoppage. I’m going to win, but I just see myself winning this fight," Davis said.
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