Tsetsi Davis finds peace on the seas
Veteran boxer turned to fishing to sidestep pandemic woes
Published:Thursday | April 7, 2022 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
TWO YEARS without boxing has been difficult and incredibly frustrating for veteran boxer Tsetsi ‘lights out’ Davis.
The two-time contender finalist told The Gleaner that without the sport he loves and depends on for a livelihood, he had to turn to fishing to make ends meet.
At times he also linked up with Wray and Nephew Contender rival Richard Holmes, who also turned to fishing as a source of income.
The 44-year-old said he found solace and peace of mind on the seas and recommends fishing as a means of dealing with the stresses of everyday life.
“Honestly to God, boxing is the sport I love. When the pandemic came around I say this is forcing me out of my sport.
“There was nothing to do and sometimes I do not work and things were getting frustrating, so I took to fishing,” he said.
LIFE BEFORE BOXING
Before going full time into boxing, Davis spent a lot of time fishing as his father was a fisherman and he and his late brother did many nights out at sea before the latter’s passing in 2011.
The passing of his brother was one of the reasons Davis turned away from the sea, that is until the necessity brought about by the pandemic.
“I always loved fishing. Before my brother died, we ran the sea at nights. But when he died, I just got scared, but fishing has been in me for a long time.
“When I tell people that I spend nights out on the sea, most say that they would not leave their good bed to go fishing at night.
“But when you do not have anything else to do and you are frustrated, you have to find something to do.
“I recommend fishing for anybody who has problems. Yard problem, road problems, any problems, take it to the sea. Just like how you would say a word of prayer, the sea can heal anybody.
“So you take up your fishing rod, find yourself a $500 or $1,000, buy some shrimp and go catch some fish,” he said.
Davis also learned that fellow boxer Holmes was out at Bull Bay fishing as well and joined up with his boxing rival for a common cause.
“When I heard Richard Holmes was fishing, I contacted him right away and asked where he was, and he said he was at Nine Miles, and I went and found him.
“Most people would have thought that me and Richard Holmes was in beef and not on friendly terms, but boxing is boxing, and at the end of the day, we are friends. It was good working with Richard on the seas. We made some good catches,” he stated.
STILL HAVE AN IMPACT
Even at 44 years old, Davis has no intention of hanging up his gloves, and like George Foreman, he believes that he can still have an impact at this late stage of his career.
“My friends will laugh at me, but I feel my pain, and no one can tell me what to do. They call me back on camp and forcing me to get back in shape, so anytime soon you can hear that Tsetsi Davis is going to fight.
“George Foreman came back and won a title at 50 years old. I have a whole lot in me still. I will not say that I am old because once you are over 20, they say you are old.
“George Foreman did it and I am still willing to fight, so it can be done. You haven’t seen the last of Tsetsi Davis.
“If you do not see me it is because nobody wants to fight me or I might be coaching someone to go into the ring.
“But I know people will fight me because (Devon) Moncrief is out there, Richard Holmes is out there, and if they feel like they want to fight me I am here, and we can put on a show for the people,” he said.