Dwight Davison: Willie “The Worm” Monroe, Robbie Epps & Tony Sibson – 80’s Boxing
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By Jim Amato
From 1977 to 1987 Marvelous Marvin Hagler OWNED the middleweight division. Because of this many fine middleweights of that era have been forgotten. A shame but true. Either they eliminated each other or Marvin eliminated the survivor. He was THAT dominant. Nevertheless many fine middleweights did not have a chance to take advantage of today’s four champions per weight division bonus. How would Dwight Davison fit in to
He was a 6′1″ boxer – puncher with a solid defense and a good chin. Born in 1955, he turned pro in 1977. He served notice that he was for real when he stopped future champion Murray Sutherland in four rounds. It was Dwight’s eighth consecutive victory. In his thirteenth bout he outscored Tommy Brooks. Yes the same Tommy Brooks who has become a world reknown trainer. In bout number 15 he outscored Cleveland’s classy Ralph Moncrief.
In 1979 Dwight came in to the big time outscoring the slick Willie “The Worm” Monroe.This was a man who held a legitimate win over Marvin Hagler. In 1980 he halted Doug Demmings, outpointed Sugar Ray Seales and out boxed Philly’s rugged Curtis Parker. Then in a surprise, Dwight was defeated by vastly under rated Robbie Epps. Davison bounced right back though to decision Wilfred Scypion and KO tough journeyman Lamont Lovelady in Cleveland.
Next up a well deserved confrontation with England’s solid contender Tony Sibson. It was a WBC Eliminator and the winner would get a shot at Hagler. Sibson was a squat, powerful banger. It created the perfect boxer -vs- slugger match up. On February 21, 1982…”Sibbo” proved to be too strong for Dwight. He would win a convincing decision and move on to fight Marvin. In what may have been one of Hagler’s career best performances. He battered a game but overmatched Sibson to again defend his title.
After the Sibson loss, Dwight would rebound with six straight wins. One of them was a KO over future Super Middleweight champion Lindell Holmes. Then Dwight would lose three straight. The last of which was a points call to Cleveland’s Sanderline Williams. Then Dwight reeled off five straight including a big points call over Phillip Morefield for the Michigan State middleweight title.
In 1989 Dwight would meet the capable Kevin Watts for the NABF middleweight title. Watts got the verdict and Davison was through as a viable contender. Dwight would have a few more bouts. In his last fight he came out of a four + year hiatus to meet undefeated (15-0) Eddie White for the IBO Super Middleweight title. Dwight lost the decision and retired for good.
In 52 fights Davison sported a 44-8 record. He scored 32 knockouts. To his credit he was never stopped. If he were fighting today would have held a belt? I believe so…He was that good!