He lost by second round technical knockout to former triple titleholder Henry Armstrong before 16,084, at Madison Square Garden on June 15, 1944. In a brutal and decisive loss, Armstrong caught Davis against the ropes in the first round, used infighting to slow him, then let loose with a long range right that put Davis down once, and again shortly before the bell. In the second, Armstrong came out of his corner and battered Davis about the ring, flooring him first for a count of nine. When Davis arose, Armstrong caught him with a lightning fast right hook to the chin, causing Davis to reel far back and then pitch forward on his face. With no need for a count, the referee ended the bout.