A Tribute to Howard Davis Jr., 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist Dies at 59
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Howard Davis Jr., who defeated Aaron Pryor and Thomas Hearns on the way to a stellar amateur career and the 1976 Lightweight Olympic Gold Medal in Montreal, Canada, but who never won a professional world title, has died of Stage 4 lung cancer at his home in South Florida at age 59. Davis, who did not smoke or drink, saw his weight plummet from 195 to 138 pounds while undergoing chemotherapy to try to save his life.
Between 1977 and 1996, Davis compiled a professional record of 36-6-1 with 14 knockouts. He did not fight between 1989 and 1993. He began at lightweight and finished at middleweight. After getting knocked out in the second round of a WBU World Middleweight title fight against Dana Rosenblatt, Davis wisely chose to retire.
In June 1980, Davis lost a 15 round unanimous decision to Jim Watt in Scotland for the World Boxing Council World Lightweight title. One judge had it 145-144 for Watt. In June 1984, Davis lost a 12 round split decision to Edwin Rosario in San Juan, again for the WBC World Lightweight title. One judge had it 114-113 for Davis. In July 1988 at the Felt Forum in New York City, Davis was knocked out by a right hand to the jaw in the first round against Buddy McGirt for the International Boxing Federation World Super Lightweight title. He then retired for six years before attempting a comeback at middleweight as a bigger fighter.
Davis later became an MMA promoter and founded Fight Time Promotions five years ago. Davis and his wife hosted more than 110 amateur events and 26 professional MMA fight cards through his Fight Time Promotions, and had a deal to air events on CBS Sports Network. Davis is survived by his wife and five year old daughter. Davis and his wife established a new organization, the Howard Davis Jr. Foundation, to assist in financing Davis’ medical expenses, and to help other families experiencing similar circumstances.
Davis had a brilliant career as a fighter and later as a sports promoter. He proved a boxer could take his knowledge and move on to a higher level with expertise for the next up and coming generation. He had four world title opportunities, one of which he won. Till the bitter end, Davis stuck by his motto ‘Champions Don’t Quit’.
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