Heartbroken Blackpool boxer Davies set to retire after brain scan

Blackpool's R P (Ryan) Davies has spoken of his heartbreak as he faces up to the grim reality that he is set to call time on his boxing career on medical grounds.
RP DaviesRP Davies
RP Davies

His licence has been suspended by the British Boxing Board Of Control after a suspect brain scan - his fight with George Rhodes at the resort’s Hilton Hotel on Friday, September 1, is off.

Davies said: “I voluntarily took another brain scan before this fight as at the start of the year I had my routine scan and a ‘change’ was found.

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“It was determined this wouldn’t be an issue for my boxing career at the time - unless there were subsequent ones - a short time later and it seems to have got worse, with a second ‘change’ discovered in just over six months.

“My licence has been revoked by the BBBC until I see a neurosurgeon specialist.

“Obviously I will be doing this as soon as possible to find out all the facts, but realistically it is looking very likely that this is the end for me in active, professional competition.

“I am absolutely gutted and totally heartbroken. Boxing has been my life and I have sacrificed so much to get where I am today.

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“I really feel I was on the cusp of hitting my targets, with an English title shot within our reach this year, but perhaps it was not meant to be.

“Doors were starting to open for me in every sense and I felt I was really starting to get somewhere, making real progress.

“With the birth of my daughter due in the next month, family and health are what matters and I simply don’t think I can take any further risks.

“ I have to take her into consideration in regards to all decisions now, as well as the rest of my family.

“Although I ultimately failed to achieve what I set out to do, I am proud of my professional career and overall record, if that is it, winning 12 out of 13 fights and the past nine on the bounce.”

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