Boxer Howard Davis Jr. in Fight of His Life

Zachary Kiesch, Reporter
Peter Facini, Managing Editor
This isn't the Howard Davis Jr. that so many of us remember. There is something about seeing a man fight for his life -- and not any man, a gold medal champion boxer -- that makes you reflect on your own. He says when cancer was first diagnosed, he couldn't believe it. He says he never smoked or drank in his life.
The champ is up against the ropes. He has cancer in his liver, lower left back, bones, right shoulder and lungs. Doctors gave him four months. They say he is on borrowed time. But at only 59, according to Davis, there is a lot of living left to do. He and his wife have a successful promotions company in South Florida, but it's not easy. What Howard won't tell you is that about 70 percent of his bills aren't being covered by insurance.
www.howarddavisjrfoundation.org
www.ring10ny.com

[@alaza61]

Howard was a great fighter. His speed was insane. RESPECT.

[@mariohall1179]

This is truly heartbreaking! It seems as though it was only yesterday that he conquered Olympic gold and became a pro. May you rest in God’s everlasting peace, Mr. Davis.

[@garyheiden3120]

R.I.P. hell of a fighter.

[@joemoschetta8567]

i knew him from way back on long island ,RIP HOWARD DAVIS ...good man

[@jaimeorozcoministries6489]

Howard Davis was my first boxing coach and got me ready for my first pro fight. I never had a better coach and what a disciplined hero he was for me growing up as a kid.

[@16nowhereman]

Howard Davis a hero!

[@stripes12100]

I am 59 years old. I can't imagine 😢 💔. He was one of my heroes as a 13 year old in the '76 Olympics, and I followed his pro career. RIP

[@hpgdawnpatrol9456]

I met Mr Davis in 2007. I am so sad for him and his family

[@samuelmolina2936]

A Great boxer and a Great person. R.I.P. Howard🙏

[@frank4382]

RIP brotha!!!!

[@stevengruber57]

He seemed like a truly decent human being, cancer is so cruel.

[@NathanThePrezPretlow]

Poor Howard Davis just couldn't get the breaks.R.I.P.Howard.

[@napoleonarmstrong3648]

9days later he was gone. I went to HS with his stepdaugher when they lived in New Brunswick NJ

[@davidroman4448]

R.I.P Howard Davis JR. We Remember you well as a True Champion , I Remember when he fought Hector Macho Camacho, He had great hand speed .

[@jtleon7086]

Didn't smoke, not a drop of alcohol ever. No red meat, professional athlete. Man, you just never know when the Master is gonna call you home. I hurt for the family

[@ghusaghusa2135]

what master?

[@fmills1583]

He always looked sickly even when he was kicking everyone's ass. Anyway RIP to probably one of the best fighters to never win a world title.

[@juancalderon936]

My respect to Mr Davis I saw him fight when I was growing up pure legend

[@stevestarr9769]

He died only 9 days after this video was loaded.

[@michaelwuttke5841]

RIP Howard Davis Jr

[@Gorillatagedits_VR]

What a beautiful person may god bless his family

[@couponnation]

I was a big howard Davis fan, sorry for his loss.

[@DeeNice681]

R.I.P. Howard!

[@arthurdavis1978]

God bless you brother!

[@emmanuelscott5804]

Wow I never knew😢...he was a bad boy in his day tho. My prayers my man. Much love !

[@robertstroud7561]

I met Howard in the 80s in Atlantic City e ate breakfast together. Super nice guy. RIP, pal.

[@lordburlap4514]

Easy journey, champ....

[@estrellasboxisticas6360]

All Cuban were in love with you in 1974 World Championship in Havana.

[@samestuffdifferentday5712]

howard davis was in 76 olympic team with sugar ray leonard. he was supposed to be a big star but leonard outshined him. RIP DAvis

[@Jeanettesboxingchannel]

RIP warrior

[@kennymega61]

this hurts, I didn't know he passed

[@rontate7719]

x 100.. RIP my man...

[@victoragosto6305]

RIP ...CAMPEON FROM👊 ELCABALLO 😢

[@vitorshaolin]

RIP

[@fitz3137]

God bless Davis. That said, he declares he never drank "not ONE sip my entire life." As Frank Sinatra said "I feel sorry for people who don't drink."

[@mestaywoke5938]

He never indulged , he was a man who didn't need any artificial stimulation and he was an Awesome human being and the Best big Brother anyone could have and he is sorely missed! I miss his laugh, smile and I miss HIM so much !!! Rest in Peace Big Bro , I think about you every day WE ALL MISS YOU & LOVE YOU CHAMP !🙏😚💖

[@ZzLiGHTNiNGzZ]

I haven’t drank one sip my entire life either. Nor do Muslims and many live to 100 or 90’s.

[@Jlsirving621]

You are truly missed Ibrahim you impacted my life at an earlier. Thought me box and life lessons. I am passing some of those lessons to my boys. Rest In paradise.

[@chatapetuniarodriguezcruz7088]

De Howard Davis se esperaba más, por todo lo que hizo en las olimpiadas, pero no dio la talla en lo profesional, no tenía ese instinto asesino que tienen los campeones. Recursos boxisticos, los tenía de sobra, pero le faltó esa ambición vertical. No estaba direccionado a buscar la gloria. Se quedó en promesas, para lo que él no tenía espíritu. Se asustó que lo derribarán. Llegó al box profesional por inercia, pues no tenía la ambición. Le faltó ese espíritu callejero. Picardía. Picardía que debió tener su mánager o su entrenador, era demasiado fino y elegante para que no llegara a donde estaba destinado.

[@robertcherry1369]

Greatness

[@zebo7420]

hes my grandfather

[@samuelrobertson1567]

isaiah wemple My condolences! I grew up watching him fight. He was something special.

[@mestaywoke5938]

💖💖💖💖

[@GustavoCarvalhaes99]

Amazing

[@shawnmcginnity1725]

Rip champ

[@albertagosto6803]

😢

[@Wolfmasterx]

so there's treatment but it cost to dang much and his insurance wont cover it all? We need to start suing these insurance companies or just the whole medical institution as a whole. This guy had a chance to live longer he's was only in his 50's yet he cant get treatment because it cost as much as a house. Ridiculous and absurb that we allow these high behind medical charges group with these high insurance rates with Flipping high deductables. When was the last time when these expenses was audited?

[@Wolfmasterx]

SS O.k? guess your one of those people who just write a response without reading the comment. Who said anything about free? This dude probably had health insurance im saying the cost to treat any cancer is to damn high, that the average person cannot afford. Can tell you must be one of these entitled people that does not know how the healthcare system works. Hospital cost for anything serious is absurd. That like this man if you do not have the means, you'll die. Then insurance unless you have the highest premium, or hell even if you do have it, you have to fight tooth and nail for them to cover the expense. Among bills and other shit i personally dont know any person can afford 600-1k a month for health insurance. Yet i do know people who go bankrupt and are leaving on the streets from cancer cost. Which btw the treatment isnt 100%. So the love one you paid all your money for could still die from the illness, and the hospital will still stick you with the bill of close to 40-100k depending on how long the treatment last and the type. It is an overcharge to make us pay these insurance companies, because they know we cant afford that shit. You cant justify the charges like with electrical, equipment, and other things that goes on during the procedure. Theres noone besides themselves who regulate cost, People complain about obama care but actually read it, It really doesnt assist to much technically your still paying the shit.

[@truthhitman7473]

The level of apathy is what's wrong with people like you. Then you wonder why Americans hate their own government. The man was not a criminal, he was a professional boxer representing America yet his own country he represented couldn't help him ? He earned that respect. Therefore it would not have been a free hand out, especially after America gained most of it's wealth on the backs of black people.

[@Wolfmasterx]

wasnt going to give this guy more room to sound ignorant, so i'll just say thanks cohen, to see that there people who can think beyond the "America" nonsense and think what is right and whats wrong and whats fair and unjust. Gives hope out here. To think people will defend modern day crooks.

[@Wolfmasterx]

not saying nothing wrong with being patriotic but if the system is broke, why not fix it?

[@brianmoloney6623]

Yes you can KEEP your DOG eat DOG corrupt bankrupt war mongering ZIONIST Fascist country to your self.. In Canada WE pay HEAVY HEAVY Extreemly HEAVY taxes. I myself am TAX 50% of my check and then Alcohol ciggerettes gasoline is DOUBLE in Canada than your WAR MONGERING BANKRUPT NATION.. Ok it is what it is. My brother had Brain cancer 2 operations GOVERNMENT paid for it. With Home care and medicine total cost 3.3 MILLION dollars. He died 11 months later. Any ways I never ever ever complain HOW I was TAX in Canada. Because WE do not LIVE in a DOG eat DOG Zionist nation like USA of IsraHell.@SS

[@DuaneHHLyon]

A brave and inspirational warrior @DuaneHHLyon