Davis finds his boxing mojo
Since returning to the professional ring in May this year as a junior lightweight, he has won two fights, both by technical knockout, but lost his last bout in August on a six-round split decision to Bheki Mahlangu in Boksburg.
Ashton Davis had a late-night phone call in December last year from well-known Benoni boxing trainer Harry Ramagoadi-Manaka, who reignited his passion for boxing.
The 27-year-old Benoni Small Farms resident has been back in serious training at Ramagoadi’s VIP Boxing Academy in the city for just shy of 10 months, having quit the sport five years ago after dropping a split decision to Vusumuzi Nyawuza on debut at Gold Reef City.
A defeat in his first professional outing, however, wasn’t the reason he chose to hang up his gloves. His then trainer, Rupert van Aswegen, relocated to Cape Town and he was confronted with a series of what he simply described as “family issues”.
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“I knew Harry through Rupert and the first question he asked me was, ‘Do you want to become a champion?’ That was all I needed to light the fuse and rediscover my ambition and drive,” recalled Davis.
“I just kept thinking about a piece of advice a former trainer once gave me that I shouldn’t wake up one day regretting having hung up my gloves and wasted my talent. That sealed the deal,” added Davis.
Boxing hasn’t always been in Davis’ blood. He was a late bloomer who only started boxing when he was 16 years old.
He boasts an impressive amateur career record (27 fights, 22 wins, 5 defeats) as a super-featherweight (57–58kg). He was groomed by former six-time world champion Cassius Baloyi in Bruma, Johannesburg.
“It is not only about training, but also about the trust in a relationship. Harry and I have that. He catches me out, I can’t pull the wool over his eyes and he won’t take any nonsense.”
“But we have a mutual love and understanding for the sport and he pushes me to get better all the time and tests my limits.”
Although it’s early days, Davis, who lists former world bantamweight champion Vic Toweel and the ‘Road Warrior’ Brian Mitchell as his idols, has lofty ambitions and no intention of becoming just another journeyman.
