Pat McCormack put on a masterclass Saturday night at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, stopping fellow Brit Robbie Davies Jr. in six rounds to retain his WBA Intercontinental welterweight strap.
The Tokyo 2020 silver medalist showcased his superior conditioning and relentless offensive arsenal, overwhelming Davies—arguably his most seasoned opponent to date. McCormack was up against a former British and European champion at 140 pounds, but he made it clear from the opening bell that he was levels above.
From the outset, McCormack’s sharp jab and pinpoint combinations kept Davies out of his rhythm. By the third round, the younger fighter had already dropped Davies twice, sending an early message that this wouldn’t be a long night.
Round four was pure punishment for Davies, and in the fifth, he was floored yet again but managed to survive. However, when he made it back to his corner, his trainer—former world champion Anthony Crolla—had seen enough, calling a halt to the bout before the sixth round could begin.
At 35, Davies announced his retirement in the aftermath of the one-sided affair, acknowledging that he simply couldn’t keep up with McCormack’s pace and precision.
With the win, McCormack (7-0, 5 KOs) solidifies his rise in the welterweight ranks, holding firm at No. 11 in the WBA standings. Davies bows out of the sport with a final record of 24-6 (15 KOs), bringing an end to a respected career on the British and European circuits.