Hungrier than ever and ready to re-establish himself at the very forefront of Britain’s elite.
That is Troy Williamson who is counting down the days to his big domestic dust-up with Ishmael Davis on March 23.
The pair collide over 10 rounds on the Matchroom event at the Sheffield Arena, live on DAZN.
It is a contest pivotal to the careers of both fighters – undefeated Davis (12-0) is a man on the way up while Williamson (20-2-1) feels he is just one victory from the big fights at light-middleweight or super-welter as it likes to be known in the 21st Century.
‘Trojan’ has lost the last two high-profile contests he has been involved in – a unanimous points defeat when relinquishing his British title to North-East neighbour Josh Kelly in December 2022 and a split decision reverse to Caoimhin Agyarko in Belfast last December.
But he is confident it will be a case of third time lucky in the Steel City with the 32-year-old telling punch-lines that his ambition burns brightly, especially after becoming a dad.
“One million per cent,” said Troy, a doting dad to five-month old Cassius Jay.
“I’m hungrier than ever and know that I’m a win away from the big fights.
“I was a bit frustrated and disappointed with how the Agyarkop fight went and I’m looking forward to putting that right.
“This fight is very winnable, and my motivation is strong.
“It’s not just fighting for myself – I’m now fighting for my family.”
Williamson admits he has got a fight on his hands against the 28-year-old, from Leeds, an opponent he knows well and rates highly.
“We must have sparred hundreds of rounds,” said the Darlington boxer. “I’m excited to be fighting him.
“Ishmael is fit and tough with a good engine, he is a threat and I’m taking it very seriously.”
Davis has flown in somewhat under the radar, having had 10 of his first 11 bouts at Leeds United’s Banqueting Suite, tucking into the fare at Elland Road with relish.
The switch-hitter’s breakout moment came in his first excursion outside Yorkshire when he defeated Jarrow crowd favourite Ewan Mackenzie at the Utilita Arena inside eight rounds.
Ishmael was, to quote the report in Boxing News ‘all angles and accuracy, landing time and again to the head of his rival’, and looked set to stop Ewan in the fifth only for the Forest Hall southpaw to survive and fightback.
The towel came in near the end of the eighth but Troy will have been encouraged by the success Mackenzie enjoyed in some of the middle rounds.
“That was Ishmael’s first step up, but I thought he came through it pretty comfortably,” said the Craig Carney-trained ‘Trojan’.
Williamson certainly boasts the greater track record with a points win over Harry Scarff followed by stoppages against Kieran Smith and Ted Cheeseman, the latter being a war for the British title, which he defended in another thriller against Mason Cartwight.
Defeat to Kelly was no disgrace and he says he will learn from the Agyarko loss, adding “I started well, but it’s about how you finish.
“I’ve trained really hard for this because I know how much of a tough test it is.
“But if I turn up and do what I know I can do I’m confident of winning it.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
