He would “love” his British championship fight to be on the AJ-Usyk show but, ultimately, Troy Williamson is not concerned about where he tackles Ted Cheeseman.
The unbeaten Darlington star is to challenge for the Londoner’s British light-middleweight title after Matchroom won the purse bids for this mouth-watering autumn match.
Not long after this was revealed, Eddie Hearn announced that Anthony Joshua would be defending his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles against Oleksandr Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, September 25.
Would that stage suit ‘The Trojan’?
“I’d love to be on the AJ-Osyk card, one million per cent!” he told punch-lines.
“September 25th wouldn’t come too early for me.
“Before our fight was set, I’d been ticking over, I’ve only had a week off since my last fight.
“I’ve been constantly in the gym, I’d probably need six weeks-plus to get ready and get the weight down
“But I’ve been told it’s more likely to be early October.”
It is one of those sadly too rare confrontations which cross the Eddie Hearn-Frank Warren divide with Williamson insisting that boxing on a Matchroom event will be no hindrance to him becoming British champion.
“I’ve said it before but a ring is a ring, it doesn’t matter where it is, it could be in my back garden, Ted’s back garden or Morrisons car park it doesn’t bother me,” said the 29-year-old. “There’ll only be me, Ted and the ref in there.
“Whose show it is or the venue, it doesn’t matter, it’s just me against him.”
It’s going to be some battle.
Cheeseman is defending the title he won in Gibraltar in March when he stopped Liverpool’s James Metcalf in the 11th round – his 10th early finish in his 17 professional wins.
The 25-year-old is extremely good, but for Troy, it’s all about him proving his own class.
The Craig Carney-trained talent has served his apprenticeship and set up his opportunity in some style with a ruthless sixth-round stoppage of previously-undefeated Scot Kieran Smith in their eliminator in London in April.
He is pleased, though not surprised, that the ‘Big Cheese’ is willing to take him on, rather than avoid him.
“I always believed Ted would fight to be honest and I’m happy and grateful it’s on,” said the 16-0-1 boxer who has won seven of his last eight bouts via stoppage.
“I think Ted is a much better boxer than some people give him credit for, he does have the skills.
“I know what Ted brings, I really, really rate him, I know what a good fighter he is, but I just think I’m a better fighter.
“I believe I’m the best domestic super-welterweight out there and now I have the chance to prove that.
“People will see that when I beat Ted.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
