Joe Davidson officially announces his retirement from Muay Thai

Muay Thai fighter Joe Davidson has officially announced his retirement.  Last week it was reported here at Muay Thai Authority that Joe Davidson would be part of the WCK Muay Thai Pala fight card but that has changed.

Davidson was rescheduled to fight on the WCK Muay Thai Pala fight card after his bout with Travis Garlitz at WCK Muay Thai at Buffalo Bill’s in late August was cancelled the day of the bout due to some medical issues with Davidson. Medical issues have been affecting Davidson’s career and rather than being forced to potentially pull out of the fight once again he has decided to hang up his gloves.

Davidson no longer has the fire needed to compete, but not because he doesn’t love the sport, it is due enlarge to his personal medical issue. Davidson has had to pull out of several fights in the last couple of years due to this and being the stand up guy that he is, he doesn’t want this to continue to affect the promoters, fans, and fighters.

“The problem is affecting my fight career. I’ve missed several fights in the past couple years due to it and missing a fight is very difficult for me” said Davidson. “When a promoter chooses you to fight, a fighter gets ready to meet you in the ring, trainers pour their time and energy into you, and people close to you come to see you fight and then pay money on top of it and I don’t get to fight, well that’s very hard for me to swallow. That’s why I feel my time may be over.”

Davidson doesn’t want to as he put it “waste” anyone’s time. Davidson might see it as wasted time but it is hard not to appreciate that someone would try to fight through a medical issue in order to be able to fight for a promotion, their friends, family, and fans. Especially in a sport where in the United States the pay from one fight won’t make you much. That’s love for the sport.

Davidson relishes the journey his career has taken him on, he can’t pinpoint one exact moment as standing out above the rest and instead just relishes the memories.

“As far as my most memorable moment I could never pinpoint just one. I think the journey itself is one big long amazing memory” said Davidson. “Even the fights I lost or injuries along the way, it all melts into great memories.”

Davidson looks to focus on his students now; he will look to improve his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA skills so that he can pass on his knowledge to his students at Red Dragon Karate in Fontana, CA where Davidson is the Muay Thai instructor.

Don’t let the name fool you though, it is straight Muay Thai when Davidson teaches, and as he put it “In my Muay Thai gym it’s all business”.

We wish Joe Davidson the best of luck in life, and with his gym.

Anyone interested in training with Joe Davidson can contact him at (909) 803-2777. 



Photo courtesy of Jeff Dojillo
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