Tough Love
James Davis did not graduate high school and spent the first ten years of his adulthood in prison. Nevertheless, Davis is determined to use his experiences as a means to give his nephews a fighting chance in life.
Brothers Demetrius ‘Man-Man’ Duncan and Demontaze ‘Juicy’ Duncan love the sport of boxing.
Their path to the ring began when an aggressive, basketball toting Demetrius caught the eye of their current coach, Nick Bareis. When Bareis saw Demetrius’ agility, energy and strength on the court, he invited him to a boxing practice.
And as little brothers do, Demontaze tagged along.
Since then, the brothers have devoted their lives to the sport and practice four to five times a week.
They both have hopes to become as prominent as Muhammad Ali.
In 2007, as Demetrius and Demontaze arrived home from school, they found their mother murdered in their family’s apartment.
The brothers were quickly separated from their three siblings and placed with various extended family members.
As time passed, anger often adorned Demetrius, making it seemingly impossible for any of his relatives to handle him. The boys bounced from pillar to post, never finding a permanent home.
Yet, family plays an integral part in their lives.
Demetrius and Demontaze moved in with their uncle James Davis in 2015.
Just like Demetrius and Demontaze, James also enjoyed boxing when he was young. He practiced with legendary Louisville, Kentucky boxing coach, James Dooley, and had a shot of making it professionally.
However, instead of becoming Louisville’s next boxing star, James dropped out of high school and spent more than twenty years fighting to survive incarceration in the Kentucky State Penitentiary.
Taking custody of Demetrius and Demontaze meant more than simply providing a roof, food and clothes.
It was memories of his time served that offered James resolve and determination to direct his nephews toward a more successful future.
James is adamant about his nephews achieving their goals because of the bond he had with their mother.
As James was growing up, the boys’ mother, Lucretia, held an important place in his heart. As he would be “ripping and running,” in the streets, Lucretia would always be there for him, no matter the circumstances. He had recently gotten out of prison when she was murdered in 2007.
James doesn’t want to place too much pressure on the boys to become strictly professional athletes. He simply wants them to succeed.
No matter what happens with their future, James will love them regardless, just as their mother loved him.