Top boxing trainer Peter Fury, father of WBO World Heavyweight contender Hughie, says Liam Smith’s mouth-watering showdown with undefeated British Champion Liam Williams won’t go the distance.
Former WBO Super-Welterweight Champion Smith clashes with rising Welsh star William in one of the most eagerly-anticipated fifty-fifty matchups in years next month, and Fury is predicting fireworks.
“Oh, this is a hard fight” said Fury. “It’s going to be a humdinger, this. I’ll definitely be tuning in, live. There’s a lot of ‘needle’ brewing already so, either way, I see it ending on a stoppage.
“I edge ever so slightly towards Smith because, having been in with the likes of ‘Canelo’, he brings the greater experience. He’s a very rugged, tough kid.
“You could certainly say the same about Liam Williams, who’s calm in battle, has a good boxing brain and I believe will get to world level himself eventually. But he’s an unknown quantity under pressure and that’s why I sway to Smith.”
Smith vs. Williams is part of an unmissable evening of boxing headlined by Terry Flanagan defending his WBO World Lightweight Title against tough Petr Petrov; slick South African Zolani Tete faces Arthur Villanueva in a final eliminator for the WBO World Bantamweight strap; double Olympic Gold Medallist and women’s boxing icon Nicola Adams OBE fights for the first time as a professional and former Team GB Heavyweight monster Daniel Dubois makes his highly-anticipated professional debut along with a talent packed undercard.
Tickets for April 8 priced £50, £70, £100, £150, £200, £300 and VIP £500 are available from eventim at www.eventim.co.uk and 0844 249 1000 and the Manchester Arena at www.manchester-arena.com and 0844 847 8000.
Smith vs Williams Promo
Long-term Super-Welterweight rivals Liam Smith and Liam Williams clash in one of the most eagerly anticipated fifty-fifty all-British match-ups in recent times at the Manchester Arena on Saturday 8th April, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.
Former WBO World Champion Smith is determined to remind everyone he is still the UK’s number one 154lbs fighter after his brave defeat to Mexican pound-for-pound megastar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in the States last year.
Undefeated British Champion Williams, the Boxing Writers’ Best Young Boxer of the Year, believes it is his time and is ready to dethrone Smith and step-up to World level.
SAUNDERS ON SMITH V WILLIAMS: “IF YOU GAVE ME A POUND TO BET, I’D PUT 50P ON BOTH OF THEM!”
Undefeated WBO Middleweight boss Billy Joe Saunders says Liam Smith’s mouth-watering showdown with British Super-Welterweight Champion Liam Williams is just too close to call. The long-term rivals lock horns at the Manchester Arena on Saturday 8th April, live on BT Sport and BoxNation.
Hatfield star Saunders has been involved in a few 50-50 scraps over the years, most notably his unforgettable World Title triumph over Irish knockout king Andy Lee in 2015, and believes Smith versus Williams will be even closer.
He said: “This is a real 50-50 fight. Liam Smith knows his distance and works inside very well. He’s the rightful favourite going in. He’s operated at a higher level and has more fights, more experience.
“But if ‘Beefy’ underestimates Liam Williams in any way, he’s likely to come unstuck. That Welsh boy is a very dangerous fighter, on a good run, brimming with confidence. He’s got an excellent coach in Gary Lockett and they’re sure to come up with a top game plan.
“Seriously, if you gave me a pound to bet, I’d put 50p on both of them!”
Smith vs. Williams is part of an unmissable evening of boxing headlined by Terry Flanagan defending his WBO World Lightweight Title against tough Petr Petrov; slick South African Zolani Tete faces Arthur Villanueva in a final eliminator for the WBO World Bantamweight strap; double Olympic Gold Medallist and women’s boxing icon Nicola Adams OBE fights for the first time as a professional and former Team GB Heavyweight monster Daniel Dubois makes his highly-anticipated professional debut along with a talent packed undercard.
Tickets for April 8 priced £50, £70, £100, £150, £200, £300 and VIP £500 are available from eventim at www.eventim.co.uk and 0844 249 1000 and the Manchester Arena at www.manchester-arena.com and 0844 847 8000.
