Davies (19-1, 10 KOs) set the tone when he got Collins’ attention with a short left hand inside the opening 15 seconds of the fight.

He dropped the former British champion with a picture-perfect straight right hand before the round ended. A swollen, cut Collins bravely made it to the end of round seven before being retired by his corner.

It was arguably a career-best performance from Davies who will now take aim at WBC champion Bruce Carrington, WBO titleholder Rafael Espinoza or IBF champion Angelo Leo.

“I believe I deserve a world title. I’m with the best promoters in the world in Frank and George [Warren] and it's time to get me my opportunity and leave the rest up to me. Let’s have a world title shot,” Davies said after the fight.

Davies tore through the European junior featherweight scene and seemed set for a world title fight before a disappointing loss to Shabaz Masoud in November 2024 ended his 122-pound run.

Davies had to rebuild at featherweight but his tall frame is ideally suited to the higher weight. The early evidence suggests the 30-year-old will be even better and more hurtful at 126 pounds.

There are no easy routes to the top at featherweight but Davies is ranked inside the top-10 by the WBC, IBF and WBO. He reaffirmed his readiness to take on anybody, anywhere if it means getting his shot.

“I don’t mind traveling for it,” he said.

“I had my 20th fight and my 10th 12-rounder on the bounce. No one other than the world champions are putting that work in, so I believe I deserve it and all these professional pundits should agree with me because they're facts I'm speaking.”