Shannan Davey selected for 2024 Australian Boxing Olympic team

The self-proclaimed country kid from Bundaberg is just back from the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands where he secured his place in the Australian team, and now has his sights set firmly on gold in Paris.

A young Bundaberg boxer has spoken of how he “manifested” his ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and the years of hard work and dedication that went before it.

Over the past few years 24-year-old Shannan Davey has secured his position as one of Australia’s best boxers, after joining the sport 10 years ago on the back of encouragement from his brother.

Laughing, he said he joined the sport as he was a bit of a “chubby” kid and was looking for an athletic outlet, but never expected to fall in love in such a way.

Davey moved to the Bundaberg region four years ago, and began training under Attila Kovacs, a boxing coach who has supported dozens of athletes to international and Olympic level, including his own son.

It was a match made in heaven, and through the training of Kovacs and his own hard working spirit, Davey has competed across the globe from Italy to Czechoslovakia.

Shannan Davey with his recent medal and Olympic ticket after a successful campaign at the 2023 Pacific Games.

Most recently, the self proclaimed country kid competed in the Solomon Islands for the 2023 Pacific Games.

It was here Davey put his best foot – and glove – forward to bring home his official ticket to the Olympic Games.

“For months leading up to the games, my phone screen saver was a picture of that ticket,” he said.

“I really manifested it, and now my screen saver is a photo of the Olympic gold medal.”

The young athlete said receiving the ticket was a “surreal moment” and the magnitude of his future journey still had not quite sunk in.

“I have dreamt of this for over 10 years, since I started the sport,” he said.

Coach Attila Kovac said Shannan Davey’s trainability and flexible mindset made him the champion he is.

He said while he still was unsure who his Olympic competition will be, as other countries continue to shore up their squads, he has already begun talking with previous Olympians including Harry Garside and Caitlin Parker to get an understanding of the mindset needed for the most demanding competition in the world.

Coach Kovac said he believed his young athlete had what it took to go all the way, due to his trainability and flexible mindset.

“He can switch, adjust to any situation,” he said.

“No two fights are the same, everyone has their pattern, you gotta make the fight, that’s the most important thing.”

Both Davey and Kovac shared some disappointment at the fact Kovac will not be able to support Davey in the corner of the ring, due to the spot being held by the Australian Olympic Team coach.

Shannan Davey said he was grateful to the support of his coach Attila Kovac as he shows off his ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games.

As Davey enters his final months of preparation for the Games, he said he is trying to switch into training full time, an endeavour that requires funding to cover everyday expenses.

While the club and the sport contribute through fundraising endeavours and sponsorship, more is needed.

Anyone interested in contributing to Davey’s Olympic journey can contact him here, or contact the Attila Boxing Academy here.

As Davey looks towards his future, he thanked all of those who supported him on his journey from Kovac, to friends and family, Boxing Australia national coach Santiago Nieva and the team at The Boxing Shop Brisbane.