One of the North-East’s top boxing talents takes to the ring tonight for a career-defining fight.
Darlington’s Troy Williamson is in Manchester for a domestic dust-up of two of the country’s best up-and-coming unbeaten middleweight talents against Jack Flatley.
Victory in this cracking eight-rounder on the Tyson Fury undercard at the Manchester Arena could open a door or two to ‘Trojan’.
It’s a tough assignment against the man know as ‘Quiet Storm’ and a tough one to call.
Flatley, from Bolton, has won all 11 of his pro contests (four early), while Williamson has reeled off seven straight wins, five inside the distance.
The most recent of those came only two Saturdays ago when the former Team GB ace tuned up superbly stopping Michael Mora in round two of a scheduled four-rounder in Darlington.
The Spaniard was decked twice, the second a peach of a left hook. Mora was up by “eight”, but referee Ron Kearney waved it off after a close look at the Barcelona boxer.
That win at the Dolphin Centre was a beauty but Troy told British Boxing News how he was relishing this opportunity against Flatley on the Frank Warren-promoted show which will be screened by BT Sport.
“I’ve been on some big shows already but I’ve been on quite early,” said Troy who is pictured above right with Flatley after Friday’s weigh-in.
“This time it’s an eight-rounder against another unbeaten fighter so it’s my chance to shine.
“I think Jack’s a good solid fighter but he’s quite basic.
“I wouldn’t say he’s a proper all-round fighter.
“I should beat him convincingly if I want to get where I’m going.
“I don’t really feel nerves. I get a few butterflies but it’s all good news.
“They’ll be bright lights and I’m looking forward to fighting in front of a big crowd on what’s going to be a special night of boxing.”
At the top of the card, Fury makes his comeback against Sefer Seferi in a ‘little and large’ clash while Manchester’s Terry Flanagan will look to become a two-division world champion when he faces unbeaten American Maurice Hooker for the WBO light-welterweight crown.
Words: Roy Kelly
