Telford’s Liam Davies showed his world-class credentials by stopping the tricky Southpaw Jason Cunningham in the first round and breaking Cunningham’s curse on the Midland's top super bantamweights. Cunningham (33) had a purple patch of boxing victories in 2021 first beating Birmingham’s hard hitter Gamal Yafia to become the EBU super bantamweights champ, then beating the then unbeaten Brad Foster on points adding the British, Commonwealth and IBF international super bantamweights title to his collection.
Davies (27) who came into the fight unbeaten in thirteen contests had already stated in the press conference and stare-down three-minute that he intended to stop Cunningham. The contest was set for 12 three-minute rounds and was for Davies British, EBU European, and the WBC and WBO international super bantamweight titles. The show was being aired live on BT Sports from the Telford International Centre under the TNT banner.
Davies did it in great style overwhelming Cunningham with barge after barge of shots with Cunningham not knowing where he was as he turned his back to Davies. Ref Victor Loughlin gave Cunningham an 8 count and let the fight continue. Davies then landed a massive big right hand that rocked the southpaw to his boots, and he didn’t stop throwing shots until the ref jumped in and stopped the contest two minutes forty-six seconds into the first round.
After Davies had bought the fight to an early finish it was mentioned that Marlon Tapales or Dennis McCann could well be next.
After Davies stepped out of the ring he talked to TNT Sports and this is what he had to say.
"I’ve got better as time’s gone on. I’ve dedicated my life to boxing and now I’m reaping the rewards," he told TNT Sports.
"But listen, to me this isn’t enough. I want to bring a world title to Telford. I know that’s hard to do at the minute, but we’ll keep ticking over, and defend these belts.
"Maybe the [Dennis] McCann fight if it’s there but whatever is next will come. I’m very happy.
Asked about the stoppage, he added: "I didn’t want to look for it too much. I trained hard and I think tonight was my best performance.
"I showed my power and I backed everything up that I said I’d do.
Dexter’s Thoughts
Wow, what a performance by Telford’s own Liam Davies, since the first time I saw Davies fight back in 2018 at the Holiday Inn Birmingham I have raved about how good he is and his progression has been swift. He is fourteen-fights unbeaten, holds the British and European super bantamweights titles with a few international belts to his name, and is now in touching distance of a crack at a world title. I have had the pleasure of chatting with him a number of times and he is one of the most down-to-earth genuine nice lad with a good knowledge of the noble art. He has called out McCann and Tapales but I would love to see him take on Brad Foster or Gamal Yafia as both fights would be massive for boxing in the Midlands. But whatever route Davies and his team decided to take I’m sure one or all the world titles are the end goals.