By Ben Jacobs

Following the loss of a parent, you could forgive anyone for taking an extended period of time before returning to work.  However, Dyah Davis (23-4-1, 11 KOs) not only finds comfort in boxing, he also believes his father, the late, great Howard Davis Jr would have wanted him to continue.

Davis had last been seen in the ring against Donovan George on August 23 2014 in a close bout which was initially awarded to George on points but later altered after it was revealed the Chicago man had failed a post-fight drug test.  His return at the Seminole Casino, Florida a couple of weeks ago signalled his intent to start another push towards a world title challenge.

“It felt great, I had been off a year and a half so to finally get back, hear the crowd under those lights was good,” Davis told BoxingScene.com. 

“It’s probably the major thing to overcome, the crowd, the lights, cause we’re in the ring all the time sparring, etc.  So getting back in the ring and getting used to blocking those things out is good, it was fun.”

Davis has been in big fights before including a clash in the UK against current IBF champion James DeGale and, while he fought close to light heavyweight in his win over Edgar Pérez on January 31, he intends to step back down and seek out some of the big names.

“I intend to go back to super middleweight.  Even though I stayed in good shape cardio wise, I let myself go a bit diet wise, so I said if I come back to super middleweight I’ll do it slowly and on my terms.  I came in at 172 and it was contracted at 173.  My next fight may be at 168.  We’ve had offers but I would like another warm up fight before a bigger one.

“I would love a fight with George Groves, I’ve seen what he’s doing, he is doing the [Lucian] Bute route, took that easy kid from Italy. He just fought Badou Jack so he’s rated high - I’d want that fight.  I do think Jack is slept on, he’s well-schooled, blocks shots well.  He had an extensive amateur career.  I think he’s a bit underrated.

“It looks like my next fight could be on a PBC event, I’m hoping to get out again in March.”

Dyah is based in Boca Raton, Florida and is currently working with Derick Santos at the PAL gym.

“I had John David Jackson in my corner as well for the last fight, he had just flown in from the [Sergey] Kovalev fight in Canada the night before.  But I’m training with Derick Santos, who is actually John’s assistant.  It’s good to have that type of experience in the corner.  They both gave me advice going into the second round which I took on board.”