Great question, T. Howard Davis jr. had mad boxing skills, and arguably, the fastest fighter in the sport of boxing for a time.But his chin wasn't solid.In addition, I don't think, and he has admitted, to not really wanting it.Like Topica has stated, I don't think he transitioned from amateur to pro, somewhat like another talented fighter, Bernard Taylor.Even with all his flaws, he still should've acquired a world title, but in his case, it never happened.Under the right circumstances, he could've pulled off a win over Jim Watt, but in part, due to not being developed, and due to intimidation by Watt, he lost the initial encoutner, then Edwin Rosario edged him in a fight due to his chin weakness.The Buddy McGuirt fight, he took it kind of on last minute notice, but at that time, McGuirt probably was too much for him.
Bramble didn't quite get the competition that Howard got coming up, but he only lost to Anthony Fletcher on the way to the title.He beat Ray Mancini, and after beating Mancini and Crawley, lost also to Rosario by Ko, and went downhill from there.
As far as the immediate fight goes, I think it would be a close fight.Howard could pull it off, but he always found a way to lose the big fights, despite his talent.I'm taking Livingstone by a MD, or SD, a UD a rarity.I think he does to Howard similar to what he did to Tyrone Crawley, but Howard survives to the bell.
I love the way Zebbie finished it and the reference to Tyrone Crawley (wow, remember him?...I sparred two rounds with him). I have to agree. I struggle to give Davis too much credit because I think he never made the transition from amateur to pro. He was the perfect "amateur" boxers but just couldn't run with the big dogs.
Also, Davis should have been a welterweight but he chose to be a vegetarian (as a boxer? ok, yea that works). It can be done but he HAS to be lacking protein to some degree, probably the reason he couldn't punch.
Davis would win nearly every round by a narrow margin. However, after 10 rounds, it's surprising to see that the fight is closer than it appears to be. Too bad for Davis because Bramble turns it into a fight. He's a nice guy outside the ring but he can be pretty nasty inside it.
Also, Bramble would have one more reason to win this one. He always felt slighted by the "chosen ones". Both Mancini and Davis were pampered to a degree. Bramble, the ugly child, never got anything he didn't earn. He would enter the ring with a chip on his shoulder and take it out on Davis. Bramble would not only beat Davis up but he'd take pleasure doing it.
The last five rounds would see Bramble digging into Davis' chest and not letting up. He's not an extremely hard puncher but makes good use of the power he has. He would seek to break Howard's body and discourage him. Rounds 11-15 is "Man vs boy".
Bramble W15 UD
Howard Davis Jr. will use his superior hand speed and boxing skill to outpoint Livingstone Bramble first half of the fight, but Livingstone was a good defensive fighter who always keep his hands high and he had a good chin. If he can take punches from Ray Mancini then he can easily take punches from Howard Davis Jr. Like most boxer who move around a lot, Howard seems to start fast but fade later in a fight. Livingstone on the other hand was a marathon runner so stamina is not a problem for him. Another thing is that he can fight ambidextrously. During the 14th round TKO of Ray Mancini, he switch to southpaw often and this is a bad match-up for Howard Davis Jr. Howard doesn't have any luck with southpaw. He lost to Jim Watt and was KO in 2nd round against another southpaw Dana Rosenblatt. Livingstone Bramble by 14th round KO.
Interesting question because both were very good fighter but neither could win the fights that mattered.
Master boxer, Davis had many chances but just couldn't win the big ones. I think partly to do with his disinterest to engage when he needed to. He had three shots at the lightweight title and failed in every attempt. To Jim Watt, Edwin Rosario and Buddy McGirt, in that order. Most fighters never even get the chance.
Bramble on the other hand was not nearly as gifted but made up for it with an awkward style and his willingness to mix it up. Most of Brambles 26 losses were at the end of his career and he had just one shot at the Lightweight title and made the most of it with a 14th round TKO of Boom Boom Mancini.
Based on this, I would have to say that Bramble would make the most of a fight with Davis. I just don't think that Howard Davis Jr. transitioned very well from an amateur to the professional ranks.
i'd give the edge to bramble. he'd want it more.
15 rounds
