Davis was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer over the summer and was given only four months to live.

He had never smoked or drank. 

“I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” Davis told FOX 5 New York in an interview published two weeks ago, regarding his condition.

“As of now, I can barely walk.

"The cancer is just eating at protein cells that I need to function as a human being.”

Davis was awarded the Val Barker Trophy as the outstanding fighter at Montreal 1976, being honoured ahead of other boxers like Sugar Ray Leonard, and Leon and Michael Spinks.

His victory in the Canadian city came just a week after his mother had died of a heart attack. 

As an amateur, the New York fighter beat Thomas Hearns and Aaron Pryor, a future world junior welterweight champion.

Davis also won the featherweight gold medal at the 1974 World Championships in Havana. 

He turned professional after the Olympics and went on to a professional record of 36–6–1 with 14 knockouts.

Davis fought for a world title on three occasions.

After winning his first 13 fights, he challenged Britain's Jim Watt for the WBC lightweight title in Glasgow in 1980.

Watt won by a 15-round unanimous decision.

In 1984, with a record of 26–1, Davis fought Puerto Rico's Edwin Rosario for the WBC lightweight title.

Rosario retained his title with a 12-round split decision.

His final attempt to win a world title came in 1988 but Davis was stunningly knocked out in the first round by IBF junior welterweight champion Buddy McGirt, another American. 

Davis retired in 1996.

He worked as boxing director at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, where he trained both amateur and professional boxers and MMA fighters.

He was also a motivational speaker, commentator and a musician.

In July 2009, his home town Glen Cove honoured Davis by naming a street after him.

The Mayor also proclaimed July 10 as Howard Davis Day in honor of both father and son