Troy Williamson produced the performance and finish of his life to enjoy the greatest night of his boxing life.
The 30-year-old today woke up as the British light-middleweight champion after dethroning Ted Cheeseman with a 10th-round stoppage in a fight-of-the-year contender in Liverpool.
This North v South confrontation promised much and certainly delivered with Troy’s quiet confidence justified by an incredible finish.
To beat a champion of Cheeseman’s calibre and heart required something special at the M&S Bank Arena and Williamson found it … in spectacular fashion.
‘Trojan’ began the 10th with some heavy rights to the head and a left hook followed by a left-right-left combo hurt the Londoner.
A right upper cut from Williamson on the ropes rocked back Cheeseman’s head with the unbeaten Darlington star pulling out a stunning left hook which sent Ted crashing to the canvas.
Referee Michael Alexander did not even begin a count, waving it off immediately to allow the medics to treat the Bermondsey fighter.
“That would’ve knocked a heavyweight out,” said the new champ who fully deserved having the famous Lonsdale Belt presented to him.
“That’s what we’ve been working on in the gym.
“I’ve said it before if I hit anybody on the chin or anybody on the body with 10 ounce gloves then I’m going to hurt them.
“It feels absolutely unbelievable. I’ve grafted my bollocks off for this moment now.
“I’ve come up the hard way. Selling tickets on small shows, not getting the recognition that I truly believe I deserve but I’m here now.
“I’ve stamped my authority and proved that I am a number one in the division.”
He certainly has. As Williamson told punch-lines in the build-up to the fight he wondered how war after war might have affected the ‘Big Cheese’ and while four years his senior, Troy duly proved the fresher man.
Yes, Ted has his moments too as the bout went one way then the other, Troy seemingly stung in the seventh as Cheeseman threw the kitchen sink at him.
Cheeseman had questioned Williamson’s staying power given this was his first 12-rounder, but it was Troy who came on strong, hurting the title-holder with a sustained attack in the ninth before the end arrived one round later.
“No one can stop me, I’m a warrior at heart,” said the Craig Carney-trained boxer. “Only me and my team believed in me.
“I live the life, I dedicate my life to this sport, so I knew I could do the rounds.
“I felt it was close, I know some people had me up and some had me down.
“With us being on a Matchroom show I felt I’d probably need to win the last two rounds to get the decision.”
In the end he took it out of the judges’ hands.
Congratulations to the new light-middleweight champion of Great Britain.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
