Ohara Davies was sure he was going to beat up Ismael Barroso to win an interim world title, so imagine his surprise to learn that it was he who took a beating in the first round that quickly sidelined him, along with his current hopes of win a world title.
“I’m sorry for the people who had faith in me, all the fans, the people who didn’t go to bed and wanted to wait up and watch me become champion,” Davies said. “It’s a fight that I saw myself winning, I did the camp well, everyone did their job correctly. I made the mistake and paid for it.
“I took a good shot, tried to rush it and ended up getting caught. So all I can say is I’m sorry. I didn’t see it coming, I don’t think anyone saw it coming. I really have to sit back now and see why this isn’t how the script was meant to be.
“I rushed when I shouldn’t have. I should have been a little more patient but, you know, it was a mistake I made and I paid for it. At this level you can’t afford to make certain mistakes like me, and I paid big time for it. My pride is very hurt right now. I thought I was going to go to bed as a champion; I planned to sleep with the belt on tonight.
“What can I do but take some time off and come back stronger? This won’t be the end of me. I love the support I get from everyone… it makes me a little happier, but in the end I’m still very disappointed in not sleeping with the champion because I worked so hard for this fight.
“I’m not going to let this stop me.”
