Carl Davis

Carl Davis, born on November 16, 1973, is a former American professional boxer whose career spanned from 2003 to 2017. Notably, he achieved significant victories against former Cruiserweight World Champion Arthur Williams and former Heavyweight Title Challenger Bert Cooper.

In his amateur boxing career, Davis attended Percy Lavon Julian High School in Chicago. He showcased his talent by winning the Chicago Golden Gloves Novice Heavyweight Championship in 2000 with impressive first-round knockouts. Later, in 2002, he claimed the Chicago Golden Gloves Open Heavyweight Championship, defeating tough opponents along the way, including regional champion William Terry and defending champion Russell Felger. He even ventured to London, England, where he decisively defeated British amateur heavyweight champion Brian Robinson in a United States versus Great Britain competition.

Transitioning to the professional boxing scene, Davis made his debut as a heavyweight on April 25, 2003, with a swift 38-second knockout of Michael Shanks in Rosemont, Illinois. Under the guidance of Schaefer, his trainer, Davis transformed his physique, shedding over thirty-five pounds to compete as a cruiserweight. On December 17, 2010, he secured the vacant USBO Cruiserweight title with a convincing ten-round unanimous decision victory over ‘King’ Arthur Williams, a former world cruiserweight champion.

Despite his successful run, Davis faced setbacks, including a loss to Andy Ruiz Jr., who later became the world heavyweight champion. Nevertheless, Davis displayed resilience, making a triumphant comeback at the age of 44 on December 2, 2017, in Nairobi, Kenya. He secured a third-round stoppage against Mbaruku Kheri of Tanzania during a World Boxing Council event.

Apart from his boxing career, Davis had a brief stint in professional football as an outside linebacker and defensive end for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League in 1996 and 1997. However, he retired from football after the 1997 season to focus on his boxing aspirations.

Outside of sports, Davis is a skilled practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Shaolin Kung Fu, which contributes to his work in the security field. He co-owns and operates Respect One’s Family Security, a private security firm providing protection to athletes and entertainers at public events, as well as handling security teams at concerts and sporting events, specializing in crowd control. Additionally, Davis is involved in working with developmentally challenged students aged 13–19 in both public and private school settings as a crisis intervention worker and mental health professional.

In his personal life, Davis resides in Chicago with his wife, Tywanda, and their children.