Liam Williams Plots Next Step Towards Golden Belt

Liam Williams is hoping to strike silver before graduating to gold at the O2 Arena tonight when he takes on the former European middleweight champion Karim Achour.

At stake for the 27-year-old Welshman and his French rival will be the WBC silver middleweight crown and a spot in the top five of their rankings. What Williams wants is a shot at the gold standard world title in the not too distant future.

“For me it is all about picking up the title and taking another step in the right direction towards the ultimate goal, which is obviously becoming world champion,” said Williams.

“I’ve always known I was world class, it’s just about getting the right fights. I believe everything is moving in the right direction and I’ll become a world champion within the next 12 months.

“Everybody who knows me knows that I couldn’t give a damn who I fight. I’m game, I want to test myself and I’m up for the challenges.

“There are some very big names out there. Canelo is champion, you’ve got Golovkin, you’ve also got Charlo, and I believe as long as I win this next bout I’ll be put in behind Charlo.

“The three men in front of me are elite fighters, but I’d happily take on any one of them. It’s a challenge and a big ask, but I believe in my ability.

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“I’m a fighter and who is to say I can’t beat any of them? Becoming world champion on its own would be a great achievement, but to go down in the history books with these other names would be outstanding.”

Canelo Alvarez, Demetrius Andrade and Jermall Charlo are in the upper echelons of the rankings, while the great Gennady Golovkin is also in the mix.

The Mexican ‘Canelo’ is the reigning WBC franchise world champion having taken the title off the previously unbeaten Kazak, Golovkin.

Charlo is the current interim WBC champion and if Williams could get a shot at the unbeaten American it could catapult him into the big league.

The Welshman is currently ranked No. 10, while Achour is further down the list despite having won 27 of his 35 fights and never been stopped.

“Archour has never been stopped, but he hasn’t stopped that many. The majority have been long distance fights, so he is obviously experienced over 10 or 12 rounds,” admitted Williams.

“That isn’t a worry to me because I am fit and could do 15 rounds, especially at middleweight, where I have got loads in the tank.”

The fight is on the undercard of a heavyweight double-header in which Daniel Dubois will face Nathan Gorman and Joe Joyce takes on Bryant Jennings on Saturday night.