In one week’s time, Liam Williams hopes he will be crowned Wales 13th professional world champion and pave the way for massive fights against boxing’s elite.
Mandatory challenger Williams faces WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade (29-0, 18 KOs) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, in Florida on April 17 eager to add his name to a roll call of Welsh world title holders including Jimmy Wilde, Joe Calzaghe, Lee Selby and Barry Jones.
Perhaps surprisingly, the bookmakers have pegged the in-form Williams as a 9-4 underdog, but the Welshman feels ready to fulfil his destiny after being passed over by other rivals in the scramble for world title opportunities.
“When I win this fight, the options and opportunities are endless,” Williams (23-2-1, 18 KOs) told The Sun. “And I am going to get the massive fights and massive paydays I deserve.
“I want to go on and make a massive name for myself, alongside some of Wales’ other great fighters like Joe Calzaghe, Nathan Cleverly, Gavin Rees and Lee Selby. For me to put my name alongside those former world champions will be massive.
“Andrade is a tall and rangy southpaw so he is going to come out poking and picking at the start and make the beginning a challenge. But then I am going to get on him, break him down and stop him. I think any time after rounds six or seven I will be able to stop him.
“I have had to sit on the sidelines and wait my turn, I have tried being nice and being nasty, I have beaten everyone put in front of me and I will not be denied any longer.”
Feature image: (L) Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing (R) Queensberry Promotions