Robbie Davies Jr: I Want To Get Past Szabo, Step Up To Next Level

By Matt Bevan

Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jnr will now defend his WBA Continental super-lightweight against Zoltan Szabo, as previously reported on Boxing Scene, after it was revealed that Willie Limond has withdrawn from their scheduled fight in Preston this Saturday.

Davies claims that he is unfazed by the late change of opponent and is looking forward to showing his talents to a big audience on ITV who launch their latest boxing push at the Guild Hall in a show promoted by Davies Jnr’s manager Neil Marsh.

Szabo got the better of Stephen Ormond last year in a shock and will no doubt come with ambition against Davies Jnr. However, the former standout amateur admits he is excited for Saturday and is ready to put on a top quality performance for the many who will travel from Liverpool to support him.

“I genuinely can’t wait and honest to God, I’m in the best shape of my life,” he exclusively told Boxing Scene ahead of fight week. “I know everyone says it before a fight, but I really am. It’s great to be top of the bill on a big occasion on ITV. I’ve never had this before, [including] all the media attention that goes with it. I’ve just got to make sure I perform as well as I know I can now.

“As for Limond, his cat got sick or something, I don’t know as I can’t prove anything. So, I’ll be facing Szabo now, who is different to what I’ve been preparing for, as he’s a slick, back-foot boxer, who has won on foreign soil before so I’ve got to be at my best.

“I’ve done 100s of tickets, even after Limond pulled out, and it’s amazing to get messages from people saying it doesn't matter who I’m fighting because they’re coming to see me. I’m absolutely buzzing for Saturday.”

Davies Jnr, who is 14-0 with 10 stoppages, told ‘Scene he wants to get this fight out of the way before setting his sights on a bigger name opponent. He is also targeting a domestic clash in the very near future.

Super-lightweight is one of the UK’s deepest talent pools, but Davies Jnr is confident that his team, led by Neil Marsh, can get him the big fights he craves and credits Marsh with revitalising his career.

He has ambitions of winning the British title, like every British fighter, but he says if the opportunity doesn’t come his way, he won’t wait around for it.

“I want to get past Szabo, rest and then I want a good name,” he continued. “I must be the only person saying I want these bigger fights as I don’t hear anyone else doing it in the division. It’s like I’m the bogeyman. I’m not after a world title yet, as I need to learn my trade properly at that level yet.

“I want someone who has fought for a world title or been in and around that level, someone who can get me that credibility. Whether that’s a domestic dust-up or an international fighter I don’t care. I’ve offered to go and fight people on their shows but they've always turned it down for one reason or another.

“I can’t thank Neil Marsh enough as it’s like he's dug me up from the grave and put me back on the map. I was in a bad place 18 months ago and he took a gamble on me and now I’m flying, number six in the world and closing in on a big fight.

“If the British title comes up and it makes sense, then I’ll take it with both hands. No one is jumping to get in with Tyrone Nurse, but there’s nothing stopping me, although I'm not hanging around, waiting. I’ll keep chipping away and I’ll reach the top.

“I’ve just got to get past Szabo on Saturday first.”