Troy Williamson has his eyes on the prize in London tonight when he gets through the ropes at the famous York Hall against Kieran Smith.
That prize is a shot at the British light-middleweight title.
Williamson faces Smith in a final eliminator live on BT Sport and the fight is an absolute beauty.
Both combatants are unbeaten and each have boxed 16 times, Williamson with 15 victories and a draw with Smith boasting a 100 per cent record, though Darlington’s ‘Trojan’ has the better of the stoppage stats, 11-7.
Williamson says his British title talk is not a case of taking his eye off the ball against dangerous southpaw Smith, more a case of asserting to his light-middleweight rivals that he is next in line to tackle British champion Ted Cheeseman.
Anthony Fowler has already set out his claims though Williamson has other ideas.
“I have seen all of Fowler’s comments, but it all goes over my head,” said Troy, who is the slight favourite with the bookmakers tonight in Bethnal Green.
“I’m just interested in getting the win and pushing on.
“This is a final eliminator so when I get the win I deserve the shot at the British title next before anyone else.
“Just because it is a final eliminator it doesn’t mean Ted can’t have another fight, but if it’s a British title defence it has to be against me after I win on Friday.
“You have to say Ted is number one because he is the British champion, but I am in the top three and when I win on Friday I am number two in my opinion.
“At the minute I am ranked eighth by Boxrec and I should be a little bit higher.
“I still have a lot to prove and although I haven’t had the opportunities I deserve, they’re now coming.
“People will see me get the win against Smith and that will put me right up where I deserve to be.”
It isn’t going to be easy against Smith who, at 6ft 2in, has reach advantage as well as his difficulty being a left-hander presents.
But the 29-year-old says he will use brains as well as brawn at the York Hall.
“A lot of people think I just come forward and fight,” he said. “But I can actually box and you’re going to see that against Kieran.
“He is an awkward southpaw and I can’t just rush forward.
“I boxed for three or four years all over the world as an amateur, so have a good pedigree, but a lot of people don’t take notice of that.”
Words: Roy Kelly
