British and European super bantamweight champion Liam Davies (15-0, 7 KOs) has got comfortable being uncomfortable during preparations for his fight with Mexico’s Erik Robles (15-1, 9 KOs).
The fight will have serious repercussions on the 122lbs division. The winner will collect the IBO title but – more importantly – they will also put themselves in prime position for a major fight next time out.
Much has been made of the time Robles has spent in Japan sparring the super bantamweight division’s undoubted leader Naoya Inoue.
Although he didn’t travel as far as Japan, the 27-year-old from Donnington flew to Italy where he shared some rounds with European featherweight champion Mauro Forte and made his way north to Scotland where he sparred British and Commonwealth 126lbs champion Nathaniel Collins. Quality operators who are good enough to pose questions but fighters against whom Davies can also work on his own tactics.
“I wouldn’t say I enjoy it. It’s gotta be done. I’m trying to invest in myself and get the best out of myself,” Davies told boxingscene.com. “I get people saying, “Oh, that’s alright, going away to Italy.” Well, it’s not how they think it is. I’m staying in a B&B with my dad and manager and we’re just sparring, training and grafting. There’s no sightseeing.
“I’ve been chasing discomfort. You’re not at home with your home comforts. You’re there to do work. It’s been good work too.
“I’m looking forward to when it all matters on the 16th.”
Sparring the elite is universally seen as a good thing and for fighters of a certain level that is undoubtedly true. A young prospect can learn more from a precious few rounds with a world-class fighter than five fights against over-matched journeymen while the right amount of hard sparring has undeniable benefits for speed, timing and fitness.
At some point, however, a fighter with world title aspirations needs to have full faith that the package they and their team are building will work when they finally get to lock horns with the division’s best for real.
During his reign as unified heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko used to invite young heavyweights to his training camps in Austria. The plan provided him with a steady stream of ambitious but raw training partners but it also allowed him to have a look at – and leave a mark on – potential future challengers.
Boxing is a mental sport as well as a physical one and if Robles held his own against Inoue, he will have returned to Mexico with an invaluable boost to his self-confidence. If Robles was made to feel like hired help every time he climbed through the ropes with the Japanese superstar, that may be tougher to get over than a black eye or sore rib.
Only those in the gym saw what happened and only Robles and Inoue really understand what took place.
Davies is determined to prove himself against the very best and if he had been offered the opportunity Robles was, he would have chosen to keep his powder dry.
“I think there are two sides to it. It can go one way or the other,” Davies said. “It all depends if he’s done any good or not I suppose, doesn’t it? I personally wouldn’t want to go and spar. I’m here to have big fights and big nights and test myself with the small gloves and no headguard. I’m not into the sparring.”