British and super-welter king Liam Williams is promising to exhibit the full extent of his incontestable talent when he returns to duty before his raucous Welsh faithful and mandatory challenger Ahmet Patterson at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on November 26, writes Glynn Evans.

Recently honoured as the 2016 Young Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers, the 23 year old from Clydach Vale in the Rhondda Valley re-iterated both his power and toughness to outlast Wembley antagonist Gary Corcoran in a fractious first defence of his domestic belt at a bouncing Ice Arena in the Welsh capital last July.

But the disturbingly rugged valley commando insists we’ll witness a far smarter and slicker version when he squares off with unbeaten London hot stepper Patterson.

‘Last time I had to force it but Patterson will set me a completely different set of challenges,’ claims the 5ft 10 in former roofer.

‘But I welcome that. It keeps me fresh, forces me to master new strategies and makes training enjoyable. The sparring for Patterson will need to be completely different to that required for Corcoran. While the physical demands will probably be less, I’m expecting more of a technical test.

‘Look, this won’t be easy. Ahmet brings excellent footwork and plenty of head and lateral movement. He throws hard shots from awkward angles and can fight if need be. He brings it all, really.

‘I’ll need to stay ‘switched on’. The calmer I remain, the easier it’ll be for me.  But his fight will allow me to showcase different qualities. Whenever I’ve been confronted by a technical counter puncher who makes me think, I’ve upped my game.’

If his 11th round demolition of the teak tough and previously unbeaten Corcoran sent show-starved Welsh fight fans berserk, plain-speaking Williams concedes he was rather less content with what he delivered in his long overdue homecoming.

‘I’m a lot better than that and definitely could’ve made the fight easier for myself,’ acknowledges the Gary Lockett coached champion.

‘If I’d boxed how we’d planned, I’d have had Corcoran out of there in six rounds. But I’m a fiery guy and after all the sh** he’d put out on social media, I badly wanted to show my crowd that I could beat him up. Unfortunately, I allowed it to get messy and scrappy. Still, it’s all experience.’

For once, uncharacteristic to our sport, the animosity between the protagonists continued even after they’d clumped lumps out of each other for 32 minutes.

‘I’ve not spoken to Gary since the fight and I don’t see much value in a rematch,’ says Williams.

‘In addition to taking his unbeaten record, it appears I took his Twitter password too. He’s been very silent since!

‘I stopped him on a bad performance so I’d destroy him much quicker on a good one. I’ve proved I’m the better man. He can basically eff off!’

Aesthetically and commercially, the promotion proved an unmitigated success, hence the swift return to the Principality, albeit at a different setting in three weeks time. A string of aspiring Welsh princes profited from crucial local exposure on the undercard but Williams, unquestionably, has been anointed as standard bearer.

He says: ‘I felt a bit of pressure to lead this Welsh revival but it was all positive. It was nice to see my face on the billboards around town and just made me train even harder so I could deliver on the night. Thankfully, the fans turned up in full voice and gave me an amazing ovation afterwards.

‘It’s the first time I’d headlined plus the first time I’d experienced real ‘bad blood with my opponent. It possibly did get to me but I’m glad it happened because I’ll be better prepared to cope with it next time. Boxes ticked, move on.’

Now that Liverpool rival Liam Smith has conceded his WBO title to ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, the Welshman is stepping up to stake his claim for domestic hegemony.

‘No doubt people will start talking about a Smith fight again,’ says Williams.

‘I thought Liam was doing pretty well but once Alvarez stepped up a gear, he showed he was a different level; too big and too strong.

‘We’ll meet, no doubt, but it’ll be for a bigger title than the British and when the money makes sense for both of us. Right now, I’m coming up and he’s coming off a loss, titleless.

‘But I definitely feel I’m ready for him. I believe I can adapt and overcome any style. I can pick out things about him I believe I can exploit and I’m sure Smith feels the same about me. Neither of us really know until we get in there but, yes, I’d be confident.

‘It’s all about moving up the ladder. A fight against the European champion Cedric Vitu would also be of huge interest to me. I’ve not seen a lot of him but I’ve huge confidence in my ability against anyone at my weight, on this continent.’

Nevertheless, both he and the equally grounded Lockett know he could come a cropper if he gives Patterson anything other than his fullest attention.

To ensure his tools are at their absolute sharpest, Williams recently ventured to Sheffield to assist world welter king Kell Brook’s preparation for his audacious but aborted WBC/IBF middleweight challenge to Gennady Golovkin.

‘I sparred Kell when I was nowhere near as sharp as I am now yet he and his team gave me a lot of credit which gives me the confidence that I can mix it in world class. I’m well on form,’ he insists.

And he’ll need to be. In terms of sheer quality, you’ll struggle to find a better domestic title pairing this year, with the victor looking a sure thing to advance to international honours.

‘It’s a hard fight to predict because Ahmet can fight a bit himself. He can move but he can also come forward and bang. We’re not underestimating him,’ concludes Williams.

‘I believe the fight will begin cagily while we figure each other out but I win because I’m the better fighter all round and I’ve proved myself in bigger fights. If he does come and have a scrap, he could go early, if he opts to box, I probably win on points.

‘The one safe prediction is that Liam Williams gets his hand raised.’

WBO Lightweight king Terry Flanagan and Orlando Cruz join a sensational five-title fight card that features undefeated Hatfield star Billy Joe Saunders making the maiden defence of his World title against Brooklyn-based Russian Artur Akavov; Baggies bomber Tommy Langford clashing with Sheffield’s Sam Sheedy for the Vacant British Middleweight strap and Liverpool’s Tom Stalker making the first defence of his WBO European Lightweight title against arch rival Craig Evans.

An action-packed undercard features some of the very best up-and-coming Welsh talent; undefeated Maerdy Middleweight menace Alex Hughes fights over eight rounds; Swansea Super-Flyweight starlet Jay Harris looks to impress on home soil again over six rounds and highly-rated Barry Lightweight Jason Sillett aims to go 6-0; Ricky Hatton Heavyweight prodigy Nathan Gorman goes in search of another explosive KO win and Market Harborough Super-Welterweight Reuben Arrowsmithlooks for his eighth professional win.

Remaining tickets for ‘A Little Less Conversation’ priced at £40, £70, £100 and £150 are available from Motorpoint Arena Cardiff; 029 2022 4488 and www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk, Eventim; 0844 249 1000 and www.eventim.co.uk, Ticketmaster; 0844 8440 444 and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise this show on Sky (SD Ch.437 and HD Ch.490), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon).

Go to www.boxnation.com to see how you can watch this fight and more live!

Bradley Skeete (24-1 10 KOs) will now make the first defence of his British Welterweight title against Edingburgh’s John Thain (16-2 1 KO) at the Brentwood Centre on November 25, live and exclusive on BoxNation.
 
The co-feature of the night sees Romford’s Lee Markham defending his English Middleweight title against Midlander Andrew Robinson who replaces the injured Mullender. Markham, who already holds a win over Mullender, previously drew with Frank Buglioni who outpointed Robinson back in 2014. However, both men were venturing out of their natural Middleweight division and at 160 pounds this is a real 50/50 battle.
 
Chingford’s fast emerging and undefeated Boy Jones Jnr (10-0 7 KOs) challenges for his first professional title in the Vacant Southern Area Super-Featherweight Championship against Kent man Martin Hillman (7-2 2 KOs). Jones Jnr, trained by Essex duo Dominic Negus and Lennie Butcher, is widely tipped for big things after racing to his tenth pro win earlier this month at the tender age of 19.
 
Ilford’s Light-Heavyweight sensation Anthony Yarde (8-0 7 KOs) is another exciting addition to an already action-packed show. The hard-hitting knockout king recently fought on the undercard of Liam Smith’s blockbuster World title showdown with Mexican pound-for-pound star Canelo Alvarez at the incredible Dallas Cowboys home, the AT&T Stadium in Texas and is readying himself for an assault on the light-heavy domestic scene with his first appearance in his native Essex.
 
A special attraction for Essex fans sees the professional debut of Hornchurch’s 20 year-old Harley Benn, the son of the iconic ‘Dark Destroyer’ Nigel Benn who won World titles at two weights in the 1990’s. Harley will make his professional bow at Middleweight - 25 years after his father defeated Lenzie Morgan at the Brentwood Centre in 1991 in between his two epic encounters with his nemesis, Chris Eubank.
 
Ironically, Croydon’s Nathaniel ‘Banks’ Wilson also appears on the show 27 years after his own father, one Chris Eubank Snr stopped Les Wisniewski at the venue in 1989.
 
Prospects including  South Ockendon Super-Lightweight Charlie Driscoll also appear on the show alongside the hugely popular Chelmsford Super-Middleweight Billy ‘The Bomb’ Long and Hornchurch’s Super-Lightweight Sanjeev Sahota, who between them will ensure the Brentwood Centre will be packed to the rafters for what promises to be a memorable night for Essex fight fans.
 
The show is being promoted by WAM Boxing; a new promotional company headed up by Brentwood based Promoter Andy Ayling who also manages English Champion Markham. WAM Boxing is a partnership between Ayling and his partners Francis Warren and Jason McClory. All three have worked together for many years alongside Hall of Fame Promoter Frank Warren.
 
Tickets are available priced at Ringside £100, Reserved £60 and Unreserved £40 on www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 0844 844 0444. WAM Boxing can be contacted on 01992 505 550.  

Mighty atom Paddy Barnes MBE can stake a strong claim to be considered Ireland’s most decorated amateur boxer ever....despite a ring manner never best suited to the etiquettes of the vested code, writes Glynn Evans.

The triple Olympian from the north Belfast interface climbed the rostrum at two Olympics (a brace of bronze medals), two Commonwealth Games (both gold medals) and two European Senior Championships (a gold and a silver).

Nevertheless, the ferocious flyweight insists his high octane, heavy handed brand of pugilism will reap ever greater dividends in the hard edged professional sphere.

‘Pro boxing’s a small sport but a huge business and you have to entertain,’ explains the 29 year old Ulsterman who enters the paid brigade at Belfast’s Titanic Exhibition Centre on Saturday (5th November).

‘The amateur game was all about speed so I’ve needed to learn to sit down on my punches a bit more. People say I’ll need to slow down but I’m confident that I can go flat out for 12 rounds. I’ve always had an aggressive entertaining style. I’m going to bring a high pace and real excitement to the pros.

‘My power should really start to show once I hit 12 round title level. I’ll be going for the knockout in every fight.’

While bustling Barnes’ amateur innings extended 18 years and well in excess of 200 bouts – more than half in an international singlet – the 5ft 4in pocket rocket has no reservations about acclimatising to the more austere pro regime.

‘I’ve done a fair amount of sparring with Jamie Conlan, Marco McCullough and, as recently as last December, Carl Frampton so I know I’ll cope with the pro styles,’ insists MGM managed Paddy who won seven of eight starts under the ‘halfway house’ World Series of Boxing standard.

Commonwealth super-flyweight king Conlan, who headlines the Belfast bonanza, endorses that belief.

‘In the past, Paddy has served as my main sparring partner and he’ll thrive as a professional,’ insists Jamie.

‘His game has always been about all-out aggression. He punches in bunches, hits hard and has always been a vicious body puncher. With MGM pulling the strings, I expect him to be fast tracked through British and European level.

‘He’s gonna prove a significant addition to the buzz that is starting to develop around the lightest weights.’

For too long, the sport’s tiniest talents have been marginalised but Barnes’ decision to forsake a fourth foray at that elusive Olympic gold will surely have been fashioned by the interest that has recently been mounting beneath bantamweight.

On the home front, half-pint hitters like Kevin Satchell, Andrew Selby, Charlie Edwards, Kal Yafai, Zolani Tete and Conlan have been stirring up a storm. Branching out beyond, Nicaragua’s Roman Gonzalez and Japan’s Naoya Inoue are high up the mythical pound-for-pound listings.

‘To be honest, I already feel I’m past British title level,’ states the man yet to debut!

‘Besides, I’m very friendly with (current champion) Andrew Selby, an unbelievable talent and I support him every fight. We both know each other is very good. I’m more interested in shooting straight for the European.

 ‘I think ‘Chocolatito’ (Gonzalez) is absolutely brilliant, definitely my number one, pound-for-pound. But, more than anyone, (China’s double Olympic champion) Zou Shiming is the fight I’ll be chasing.

‘Zou beat me three times as an amateur. If we meet as pros, I know it’ll have to be in China but that’s no problem at all.  I’ll beat him over 12 rounds. I punch harder, I’ve a better engine and the longer distance will suit me better. I won the last round big in our most recent fight.’

After some post Rio 2016 R and R, HMS Barnes finally sets sail in search of the world championship that eluded him as an amateur next weekend but concedes that, for once, his preparation has been compromised.

 ‘I’d like to become Ireland’s quickest ever champion but unfortunately I’ve not really been able to train as I’d like for my debut,’ explains Barnes who has found temporary shelter at the Holy Family amateur facility in his home city.

‘My fiancée is presently in hospital, pregnant with our second child. There’s a few complications and she’s due to have a C section on November 9th.

‘To be honest, I’m only fighting cos the show happens to be in Belfast and I can be close by. I was actually offered an eight rounder but I decided on six.’

Though his opponent is still to be declared, it would be a minor miracle if the full duration was required with Barnes threatening to garnish his homecoming with some serious Paddy power!

‘You don’t see too many stoppages at my weight but I’m already putting plenty of bigger men on the deck in sparring,’ warns Barnes who has personally offloaded close to 300 tickets.

‘I think the last time I boxed in Belfast was in 2007 and the last time I boxed in Ireland was in 2012. Belfast folk love their boxing and always turn out in high numbers so this is a brilliant opportunity to showcase my skills before my home fans.

‘By the end of 2017, I expect to be knocking at the door of the world champions....if I’m not world champion already!’

BoxNation, the Channel of Champions, will televise this show on Sky (SD Ch.437 and HD Ch.490), Freeview (Ch.255), Virgin (Ch.546), TalkTalk (Ch.415), online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS,
Android, Amazon).