Junaid Bostan and Ishmael Davis begin building towards domestic dust-up

It may not grab many headlines, but the routine way in which Junaid Bostan swept aside Argentina’s Maico Sommariva inside three rounds in Manchester on Saturday night was quietly impressive.

Of course, Bostan, 10-0 (8 KOs), was expected to win but he had the fight in hand from the start and brought matters to a conclusive finish with a well-placed left uppercut under the ribcage in the third round.

It was the junior middleweight’s first appearance since April but the way he boxed and spoke afterwards indicates just how much he has matured and grown since he allowed himself to get involved in a fractious build up and a give-and-take war with Gordie Russ II in Arizona last December.

The self-styled “Star Boy” is learning and improving at a rapid pace, and has set his sights on attacking 2025 head on. 

“I’m 22 years of age” Bostan told DAZN. “One thing I’ve got is time. I’m not here to build fights, I’m here to build myself. God willing, there’s two belts I want in this career; a British title and the world title.

“Inshallah, by the end of next year I’ll have a British title. Domestically, I’ll become the man by the end of 2025 regardless who’s there.”

Competing for the vacant English title would be a sensible next step for Bostan but a bigger fight is beginning to gather steam. 

His promotional stablemate, Ishmael Davis, 13-1 (6 KOs), was watching the fight from ringside. In September, the fast-rising 29 year old leapt at a very short notice opportunity to replace Liam Smith and box Josh Kelly at middleweight on the undercard of Daniel Dubois-Anthony Joshua. 

Rather than putting his all into an all-or-nothing attempt to score a shock victory, Davis boxed sensibly and safely negotiated the 12 rounds before losing a wide decision.

The cautious performance wasn’t indicative of what we have seen of Davis since he burst on to the scene this time last year. Back down at 145lbs, he has proven to be a slick, sharp operator and an accurate short puncher.

Twelve months ago, their fight would have been an intriguing battle of prospects. In six months’ time, it could have much more significance.

“Not but respect for Junaid, top talent but, listen, I’m past the English title,” Davis said after watching Bostan complete his business. “Me and Juniad are definitely a headline fight or co-main and we need to be doing it for no less than the British so, Eddie, get me them fights. Let me get that British.”

“Eddie [Hearn], you’ve got two bad men here. You already know what I’m on. You know what Junaid’s on. It’s a big fight.”

The former sparring partners ultimately seem to have reached an unofficial agreement that they will fight. Sam Gilley or Louis Greene are set to contest the vacant British title in the coming months, and either will present a fairly large hurdle that will need to be cleared before any fight between Bostan and Davis can have the same title attached to it. If both continue to progress at their current rate, it certainly isn’t beyond the realms of possibility. 

“Nothing needs to be said,” Bostan said. “Less is more. With me and Ish, you’re gonna get a brilliant fight when it happens. 

“The first time me and Ish sparred, we touched gloves and laughed at each other and said, ‘When we fight, let’s get paid.’”

“I want the British and then we can do it,” Davis added. “Let’s do this.”

John Evans has contributed to a number of well-known publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John on X @John_Evans79