BEN DAVIES enjoyed his winning return to the ring after almost eight years and hopes to continue his successful comeback in the coming months.
The 35-year-old super-middleweight from Dodworth, who had not fought since 2017, stopped Joe Blandford in the fifth round at the Magna Centre in Rotherham.
Davies said: “It was brilliant to be back under the lights and make some memories with my two boys Jacob and Isaac.
“They were the inspiration to get back in the ring. It was brilliant to get the stoppage and show them what hard work can do. I dropped him in the fifth round twice to the body then finished him to the head.”
A lot of work had been done to get Davies back into the ring after such a long break. He said: “As well as the usual brain scans, doctors’ appointments and medicals, I have had to have additional scans and meetings all rammed into a two-week period.
“I have been driving up to Newcastle and back to see a specialist then to the other side of Sheffield to see another one.
“I wasn’t passed fit to fight until three days before.
“It’s because I had been out such a long period. You would normally have a yearly brain scan.
“Everyone’s brain will change a little bit in eight years so they had to check that the slight changes in my brain weren’t trauma.
“I knew they weren’t because I had not been punched in the head for eight years, but the board has to look after the fighters.
“I need to thank my manager Kas Hussain and all my sponsors who made it possible.”
Davies, who also works as a roofer, says he is fitter now than when he was boxing in his 20s.
“Everyone says I am in terrific shape.
“After the fight everyone was asking me what I was going to eat and drink as a treat, after being in camp, but I said I was just going home for a rice cake and cottage cheese. Nothing changes.
“I see life and boxing in a completely different way now. I live the life now, whereas before I lived for each camp.
“I think dieting to make weight takes more out of you than actually fighting.”
Davies is hoping to fight again in a few months. He said: “I am looking at being back out in October, I don’t know if that will be in Barnsley or Rotherham. Then hopefully again early next year. I have a three-fight plan and it would be nice to win the Commonwealth silver title.”
Boxing in Barnsley is booming due to the success of European champion Callum Simpson who has fought at Oakwell twice, most recently in front of 15,000 fans.
Davies would take the chance to be on an undercard there in the future if it worked for him.
“Callum is an inspiration for what he’s done to fetch those nights to Barnsley.
“It would be nice to get on an undercard. But I do what’s best for me.
“If the right fight is there at the right time and the right money, I will do it. But I am on my own journey.”
