Middleweight prospect Liam Williams says everything’s gone right for him to continue his education tonight in Newport on a stacked show of Welsh talent. Sharing the same training team as WBO world light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly, Williams says preparation has been great and the result will show that.
In the main event, Barry’s Lee Selby defends his Commonwealth featherweight title against Africa’s Patrick Okine. It’s live and exclusive on BoxNation, (Sky Ch. 456, Virgin Ch. 546) this Friday from 7.30pm. Join at www.boxnation.com
Williams opened, “I can’t wait to get in the ring now. Preparation’s gone good, as good as it can go. I’m ready for this, I’ve worked hard and I’m ready for the fight.”
“I’ve had a good camp. I’ve been training for around 8-9 weeks, I was ticking over a while before that to keep in shape. I’ve done everything I’ve needed to do in training and I’m ready for this.”
Having sparred tens of rounds with Cleverly, Williams knows more than anyone that Welsh boxing is enjoying a sustained period of success and he’s made the most of the experienced operators in his weight range and gained valuable sparring in the last few weeks.
He detailed, “I’ve had good sparring with Barrie Jones who’s just fought for a Welsh title – I’m at that level already, easily. I’ve had good sparring with Jeff Evans, Bradley Pryce and a couple of different boys.”
“They’re all good and I’ve been holding enough of my own to improve from it. I’ve given everyone as good as they’ve given me and it’s gone good for me.
Williams enjoyed a stellar amateur career that included a quarter final appearance at the world youth championships, 7 Welsh titles (a Welsh record) and 6 British titles – leaving Williams with an amateur record of 44 wins and 5 losses.
When changing a car tyre the day before he was due to fly to the European championships (which was also an Olympic qualifier) Williams was run over by a driver who was texting at the time. The only permanent damage Williams was left with was a small scar on his elbow but the Rhondda 19-year-old has learned not to take anything for granted and he’s taking that attitude into the ring.
He explained, “I take every fight as it comes, see what they put in front of me and I deal with that. I don’t mind where it is, I’m pretty good at boxing away too, I don’t mind travelling and whoever they want me to box, that’s who I’ll box.”
“We’ve got a lot of champions in Wales and just as many coming through, myself being one of them. There’s a lot of us and we’ll bring great things as we come through.”
Also continuing their development are Welsh prospects; Francis Luke Robinson, Tony Pace, Lewis Rees, Jerome Samuels, Craig Evans and English welterweight contenders Frankie Gavin and Liam Smith.
