RECOVERING FROM MISTAKES IN AND OUT OF THE RING WITH BOXING TRAINERS JON AND DANNY DAVIS
Jon Davis was born and raised in Philadelphia and started his boxing career at age of thirteen. “Where I grew up in Philly, there was always a need to defend myself, especially with the lifestyle I was living.” Jon explained that he did not have many positive role models in his community and that for many years, drugs and violence were part of his daily experience. “I thought I wanted to sell drugs, I was just doing what I could at that time to make a dollar and I became addicted to fast money.”
When asked how he got into boxing Jon smiled and recalled the moment from his childhood that sparked his interest in the sport. “I was always athletic but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. My friends came through showing off all these plaques and trophies and when I heard they were from boxing, I said I want to see what this is all about.”
Jon’s father, Danny Davis, also a former fighter, happened to be working for a boxing studio at that time says that it was only natural for his son to follow in his footsteps. “It was only natural for him. I knew he would be good if I kept him around the sport with me as much as possible.” Danny Davis is well-versed in the business of boxing and qualified in 1992 as an alternate for the Olympics. He has worked as a fighter, a cut man, and even done pad work for some of the best in boxing, including Gabe Rosado and Bernard Hopkins. ”I knew it was important for me to learn the sport of boxing, not just as a fighter, but from all sides so I learned to wrap hands, do pads, and I learned how to motivate and push the people I train in a way that nobody else does.”
Despite Jon’s attempts to leave the streets behind and focus on boxing, he was tempted by the smoke and mirrors of the fast life associated with dealing drugs in the streets of Philly. “I was young and tempted by the girls, the cars, and the money…living a careless life.” Jon expressed that he felt God was trying to use boxing to save him and even went back to school to become a medical assistant.
“I could feel something telling me it was time to change my life, but it didn’t sink in until after my second time being arrested. I had only been out a few months and next thing I knew, I got shot.” Jon was 22 Years-old when he was shot in the leg during a drug deal and doctors told him that his leg would never be full functioning again. After three months of physical therapy, Jon was nearly fully recovered and returned to the gym, this time for good. “I knew that if I didn’t get it together, I was going to end up dead or in jail for the rest of my life. I had a daughter and knew I wanted more for myself and for her.”
Jon did keep his promise to himself to lead a better life and he is now known as one of the most sought after boxing trainers on the east coast. He recently moved to Los Angeles and is already making waves in the boxing community on the West Coast. He is working with Team Watson Boxing Club in Southern California and currently mentors young children through boxing training. “It took me almost losing my life, for me to realize how valuable it was. I’m never going back to that life.” Jon’s life has transformed over the last decade and he and his father work together to give back to their communities through mentorship and the sport boxing.
My son has not lived a perfect life but he is learning a growing everyday. I am proud of him because although I have been his teacher in the boxing game, he’s becoming his own man with his own style and it’s working for him.” Danny Davis currently manages Joe Hand boxing gym in Philly and was recently cast as the Cut Man to Micheal B Jordan’s Character in the upcoming feature film Creed II.