Ishmael Davis

Ishmael Davis (born 1 April 1995) is an English professional boxer. He has held the British and Commonwealth super-welterweight titles since November 2025.

Having taken up boxing aged 12,^[3] Davis turned professional in 2018, defeating Patryk Buczek on points over four rounds in his debut at Elland Road Banqueting Suite in Leeds on 7 September that year.^[4]

He won his first 13 fights,^[4] before stepping in on five days notice as a replacement opponent for Josh Kelly on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois world heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium in London on 21 September 2025.^[5] Davis lost by split decision with two of the ringside judges scoring the bout 115–113 and 115–114 respectively for his opponent, while the third had it a 114–114 draw.^[6][7]

Next he took another short-notice assignment, facing Serhii Bohachuk at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 21 December 2024, as part of a bill headlined by the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.^[8] After agreeing to take the fight with only two weeks warning, Davis was knocked to the canvas in the second round and, although he recovered to continue the contest, he lost when his corner team retired him at the end of the sixth round.^[9][10]

He challenged WBA Continental super-welterweight champion Caoimhín Agyarko at Windsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 13 September 2025.^[11] Despite sending his opponent to the mat in the 12th round, Davis lost via split decision with one judge favouring him 115–112, but being over-ruled by their two colleagues who both preferred Agyarko by a score of 114–113.^[12][13]

On 10 October 2025, he broke his losing streak when he defeated Elliot Eboigbe on points over six rounds back at Elland Road Banqueting Suite in Leeds.^[14]

Five weeks later, on 15 November 2025, Davis challenged Commonwealth super-welterweight champion Sam Gilley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London with the vacant British title also on the line. Davis won by unanimous decision to claim the first titles of his professional career.^[15][16]

He is scheduled to make the first defense of his titles against English super-welterweight champion Bilal Fawaz at Nottingham Arena on 21 February 2026.^[17][18]

Davis became the father of twins aged just 14 and spent two spells in prison for selling drugs before his boxing career began.^[3][4][14]