Ohara Davies resisting offers to fight but wants to stay in boxing

Ohara Davies has revealed that he has had numerous offers to return to the sport after he announced his retirement in the wake of his defeat by Adam Azim earlier in October.

Davies enjoyed a career that spanned over 10 years before deciding that his fight with Azim on October 19 at London’s Copper Box Arena would be his last. Davies boxed some of the UK’s and the 140lb division’s finest fighters, and also lost to both Jack Catterall and Josh Taylor.

The 32 year old explained that he had fallen out of love with the sport. He was ridiculed for a first-round stoppage defeat by the ageing Ismael Barroso earlier in 2024, which left a bad taste in his mouth. 

His age has contributed to attempts to get him to reverse his decision, but he insists he’s not tempted to do so. 

“It feels like a big weight off my shoulders,” Davies told BoxingScene. “But a lot of people are asking me to come back. I’m still physically good; I’m still not old. I’m only 32 years of age and I’ve still got half-decent money to make. I’ve only lost against the best fighters; many people are asking me to come back, but I’m happy with my choice. 

“I’m happily retired, and I’ll find something new to do. Maybe it will be something around the boxing industry. I still love boxing – it’s what I’ve been doing my whole life – it’s all I know. Maybe there is some other avenue in boxing – in management – I don’t know. There’s something else in boxing for me to get into, but in terms of the fighting side of it – I think that’s done.

“Money is always the tempting thing. But I’m happy; I’m thankful; I’m grateful. I don’t want to be too greedy because when you start to get too greedy in life that’s when things start to go wrong. I’ve just got to be happy with what I’ve got now; with the little I’ve got now. Stick to my choice – I’m done.”

Davies made his first public appearance, since his decision to retire, at the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury II launch press conference. He explained that his retirement meant that he was enjoying being around the sport without the pressure of fighting.

“I love being at the boxing events like this,” he said. “What I’ve noticed is here, the first time being at a conference that I’m not fighting on, and I love the conference. If I were to fight on the show, I wouldn’t love it. 

“Every time I go to the conferences for my own show, I hate it – I’d rather be at home. But being here and watching other people fight, I actually love it; I love the atmosphere; the people; it’s amazing. So, this might give me the spark back, but at the same time, I’m 32 years of age – I’m done.”