WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade will make his long-awaited mandatory title defence against in-form Welshman Liam Williams at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on April 17.
Williams will be seeking to become the 13th world champion in Welsh boxing history following in the footsteps of greats like Jimmy Wilde, Joe Calzaghe and Howard Winstone.
Rejuvenated since linking up with trainer Dominic Ingle and moving to 160lbs, Williams is in bullish mood ahead of his big night.
“I’ve been quite vocal saying I’ll smash him, and I actually am going to,” said Williams, (23-2-1, 18 KOs). “I’ve waited for this for too long now, I’m not going to let it slip through my fingers, I’ll grab the opportunity with both hands.
“I just think he’s a complete weirdo, a very strange man – I’ve watched him for some time, I used to be a bit of a fan of him back then, now I get the chance to share a ring with him and punch his face in and I can’t wait to do it. I’m going to punch lumps out of him, non-stop.
“The first couple of rounds could be tricky, but I believe that I will get on top of him and start beating him up. I think he might overlook me, possibly. To be honest, maybe he has deserved to get a fight with Canelo, GGG, he’s been world champion for a long time, a two-weight and three-time champion, so he’s probably deserved those fights, but his time is up now and once I deal with him, I’ll get those fights.
“Have you ever seen me going into my shell in a fight? I don’t think he’s going to have enough in him to make me do that, and let’s not forget, he’s not fought anyone like me. When I start hitting him and hurting him, no-one really knows what he’s going to do. Who’s to say he’s not going to go into his shell?”
Champion Andrade (29-0, 18 KOs) understandably sees a different outcome.
“Liam Williams, you got what you wanted. You ran your mouth, got your rating up and here we go. April 17 your career ends,” claimed Andrade. “Or maybe you go back to headlining small club shows in the UK I don’t know. What I do know is that you’re getting beaten badly and then I’m on to much bigger fights and bigger nights in my career.
“It’s no secret, this isn’t the fight I wanted, but now it’s here and I will be taking care of business, taking care of Liam Williams in spectacular fashion come April 17. Then it’s whoever wants it. Canelo. GGG. Saunders. Charlo. Plant. I’m here. Undefeated. Two division world champion. Current middleweight champion of the world. I dare one of you to say my name.”