Boxer Dwight Davison Remembered

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In the late 1970’s and early 80’s, a lanky 6’1’’ Middleweight from Detroit prowled the boxing scene. He possessed a strong jab along with a dangerous right hand and tangled with a number of the top contenders of the time. No, we’re not talking about Thomas Hearns here but rather his neighbor and contemporary Dwight Davison. Dwight was one of a number of talented young Middleweights from the early 80’s whose early promise in the ring never came to full fruition.

Dwight Davison was born on March 18, 1955. Davison was a star wrestler in high school and college with his lean frame belying his physical strength. He turned professional in June 1977 with a first round knockout of Warren Coaston and proceeded to reel off 21 consecutive victories, 15 by stoppage over the next two and one-half years. In his first major test, Davison won a 10 round decision over long time contender Willie “The Worm” Monroe in November 1979. In May 1980, Dwight gained his 26th consecutive victory, outpointing former Olympic Gold Medalist Sugar Ray Seales.
This set up a prime time national television showdown with fellow undefeated Middleweight Curtis Parker. With Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Larry Holmes at ringside, Davison fell behind on points early. However, ultimately, Dwight’s cleaner, sharper punching, along with his boxing ability carried the day. Davison rallied down the stretch to secure a unanimous decision. Dwight was now the #1 ranked WBC contender and in line for a title shot against newly crowned Middleweight champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler.

His chance at the title was derailed by fringe contender Robby Epps in April 1981. The 6’2’’ Epps outhustled and outworked Davison on the way to a 10 round unanimous decision. The Las Vegas crowd booed Dwight’s surprisingly listless performance. Davison recovered from this defeat with a victory over highly regarded contender Wilford Scypion in August 1981. He floored Scypion in the first round and went on to take the decision. Dwight once again found himself ranked #1 by the WBC and again was in line for a title chance against Hagler.

Yet again he was thwarted, this time by rugged British Middleweight Tony Sibson who defeated him by a 12 round unanimous decision in February 1982. Davison won his next 6 fights over the next three years, most notably stopping Lindell Holmes in the 8th round in August 1983. During this time, Dwight hung around in the top 5 of the Middleweight rankings but never accomplished enough to gain the attention of the Marvelous One. In 1986 the bottom fell out as Davison lost his next three fights, all by decision to Charles Boston, Alphonso Bailey and Sanderline Williams, respectively. Essentially, Dwight Davison was finished as a top Middleweight contender.

Davison won his next five fights before facing Kevin Watts for the NABF Middleweight title in October 1989. He lost by a 12 round split decision. After nearly two years off from the ring, a now 36 year old Davison returned in July 1991 winning 2 of 3 fights. Then he disappeared from the scene again for four years before coming back in November 1996 to face Eddie White for the IBO Super Middleweight title. In his final ring performance, Davison lost by unanimous decision.

Dwight Davison finished his 19 year boxing career with a record of 44-8, 32 KOs. He was never stopped in the ring. Like many of the Middleweights of his era his accomplishments were underappreciated and overshadowed due to the brilliance of Marvelous Marvin Hagler who ruled the division with an iron fist during that time. Davison certainly wasn’t in the Marvelous One’s class but then very few in boxing history were. He was a fine fighter in his own right and would certainly be a handful for any of the top Middleweights of today.