One on One Interview with Cathy “Cat” Davis – by Sue TL Fox

Cathy “Cat” Davis was one of the best known women boxers from the 1970’s to early 1980’s.  Through the five years that WBAN has been on the net, it has received countless emails from long-time boxing fans of Davis.  And they would always ask the same question—What ever happened to Cat?

Well, I am pleased to tell all that WBAN has been in contact with Cat off and on for the last year. WBAN asked Cat to update us on what she has been doing since retiring from boxing….Cat wrote the following:

“Just after I retired, I returned to University to study Sports Psychology/Philosophy.  I had been recruited by the coach of the National Championship San Jose State  fencing team so it was an easy choice of where to study.  So I fenced and studied happily.  Then my other love came to the fore when I started to work in a 4 Star French Restaurant to support myself.  I had been taught to cook by my Grandmother since I was very young and it had always been something I loved to do for friends.  Now I was working my way up the ladder of a tough profession that, at that time, had few women.  Obviously, that didn’t stop me in boxing, so why should it stop me in cooking? I loved the challenge and learned quickly.

In 1988 I took a life changing vacation.  An old fencing buddy who was South African invited me to her country.  I left for a 3 week trip and ended up staying 3 years. During that time I cooked in a wild game lodge and had the pleasure of raising a cheetah and a lion.  What an exciting place to live. I returned to California but just couldn’t get Africa out of my mind.  It had gotten into my blood.  So I returned to stay and work in 1999.

I’m now a cooking teacher for a luxury game lodge company which is a leader in the field of conservation.  It gives my job even more meaning to work for a concerned company.  I am responsible for the food in a dozen lodges and work with wonderful people who are so happy to learn.  I travel and live all over southern and East Africa living the most extraordinary life.  Sometimes I have to pinch myself just to make sure it’s not a dream.  I have truly found my place in the world.”   Photos by Jack Pokress/permission granted by Pokress