Champion for change: Ishmael Davis unveiled as 3Pillars Ambassador

As the British and Commonwealth Super Welterweight Champion prepares to defend his titles for the first time against Bilal Fawaz, Davis has been named an official ambassador for the 3Pillars Project – a sport-based mentoring charity supporting men in custody and after release to rebuild their lives.

On Saturday night, as he walks to the ring in Nottingham, Davis will wear the 3Pillars logo on his shorts – a visible statement that this fight week is about more than titles. It is about platform, purpose and perspective.

Davis’s rise to domestic champion has been built on resilience, accountability and relentless self-discipline – qualities forged long before he ever fought for a belt.

He did not grow up surrounded by stability or consistent role models. Like many young men navigating difficult environments, he fell into crime and served time in prison. However, this became a turning point rather than a full stop.

Confronted with where his choices had led – and motivated by becoming a father at just 14 – Davis began to reassess the direction of his life. A small but pivotal moment stayed with him: returning to his cell to find a book placed on his pillow, The Secret.

It introduced the idea of mindset, intention and personal responsibility. He began writing down his goals. Then he committed to achieving them.

Boxing gave him structure, discipline and something to build towards. Over time, it became far more than a sport – it became a framework for life, built on better choices. Now, as a champion, he’s determined to help others make them sooner than he did.

“It was important for me to get involved with 3Pillars because I can genuinely connect with the lads inside,” explained Davis.

“I’ve been in similar situations, so I understand the mindset and the challenges. If I can offer perspective, help them master their mind and show them what’s possible beyond those walls, that matters,” he added.

“What 3Pillars are doing is the best I’ve seen – they’re present, they build real relationships and they genuinely want to help people change.”

Founded in 2016, 3Pillars was built on a simple belief: sport can unlock self-control, confidence and long-term change. Its programmes begin in custody, using structured sport and mentoring to develop goal setting, emotional regulation, teamwork and growth mindset – before continuing long after release through sustained one-to-one support.

For Davis, the alignment is personal. When he returned to prison in December alongside 3Pillars, speaking to around 70 men at HMP Dovegate in Staffordshire, it was a full-circle moment. He spoke openly about his upbringing, his time in custody and the mindset shift that changed everything.

Afterwards, he admitted the experience stirred something deep – not pity, but recognition. He saw himself in many of the men sitting in front of him.

“Standing in front of those men, I saw a lot of myself,” said Davis.

“That’s why boxing is so powerful – it gives you a positive outlet when you’re carrying anger or stress. Instead of making bad decisions, you can channel it into training. You can go to the gym, spar, push yourself – and it’s disciplined, it’s controlled. For me, boxing was life-changing,” he continued.

“I had a lot of anger when I was younger and training helped me deal with that in a healthy way. It gives you drive, it challenges you every day – that structure can make a real difference.”

One of Davis’ recent mentoring sessions with 3Pillars reinforced why their work matters.

Sitting down with a man serving time in another prison – someone whose background mirrored his own – the similarities were clear: instability, trauma, destructive environments and a desire to change.

Through consistent mentoring and structured support, that individual began rebuilding – learning to read, studying, training relentlessly, even stitching together makeshift boxing pads from scraps inside the prison wing. For Davis, the connection was powerful.

Boxing, in both of their stories, represented discipline replacing chaos. Purpose replacing drift. Not everyone will become a champion in the ring, but anyone can choose to become a champion in life.

“When I sat with him and heard his story – it hit me how powerful that decision to change can be,” reflected Davis.

“I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to think it’s over – but it’s not. You can turn your life around. What’s done is done; it’s about what you choose to do next. If you give today and tomorrow everything you’ve got, your future can look completely different,” he continued.

“But it starts with ownership. No one’s coming to save you – everyone has their own responsibilities. You have to focus on your path, your growth and your goals, not what the people around you are doing.”

As Davis sharpens up for his first defence in Nottingham, the belts on the line represent achievement – but the logo on his shorts represent responsibility.

Across the prison estate, there are thousands of men capable of changing direction if given the right support at the right time. Programmes like 3Pillars provide structure where there was once chaos, belief where there was once doubt – and guidance where there was once absence.

For Matchroom, supporting fighters like Davis to use their platform authentically is part of a wider commitment – ensuring boxing’s impact stretches far beyond fight night.

On Saturday evening at the Motorpoint Arena, Davis defends his titles. And as he does, he carries more than gold – he carries a message: your past does not have to define your future.