Banking some serious cash and collecting a title or two along the way.
That is the dual goal of Troy Williamson after breathing new life into his career with a devastating finish against Mark Dickinson in their English super-middleweight derby at Rainton Arena.
‘Trojan’ is no stranger to fighting, and winning, in the trenches- remember how he defeated another great warrior in Ted Cheeseman to become British Light-middleweight champion in the autumn of 2021.
He was at it again in Houghton on the Matchroom event beamed around the globe on DAZN.
Behind on the scorecards of the esteemed ringside judges (and two points down on the less-than esteemed punch-lines writer) how the 34-year-old needed to find something startling.
He did in round nine. A short left hook to the head jolted Dickinson before a huge right sent the West Rainton boxer to the canvas. While Mark beat the count, the Darlington star was soon in for the finish and another flush right brought the intervention of referee Reece Carter.
That dramatic ending has put him in the mix, punch-lines is reluctant to use the work ‘back’ because he has been very much in the mix for years.
“Troy has a lot of options,” said Williams. “But we want to do it right and have a structured plan.
“Troy is in the twilight of his career so we’ve got to try to get him as much money as possible in the time left.
“But there is plenty left, and he showed on Saturday night that he is up there as one of the best finishers.”
Williamson could easily have ‘ridden into the sunset’ off the back of three straight defeats, all against top operators it must be noted. It was a path long-time coach Craig Carney wanted him to take but Troy wasn’t ready to bow out.
He joined the Twins gym in Trimdon, having aided Adam Hepple this summer in his preparations for his English light-heavyweight title contest against Zak Chelli before making his move permanent.
Trainer Jordan Williams deserves more than a nod for his work with his new signing, though the coach says Williamson’s fight-to-the-finish heart was the difference.
“I just think it was destined to be Troy’s moment,” Jordan told punch-lines.
“He followed the game-plan to a T.
“He was going to take some beating – I think the only way he would have lost was of he’d have been nailed to the canvas.
“We knew what was riding on it and I’m over the moon for Troy.
“Troy was an established fighter so I can’t really take any credit, but I’ve enjoyed working with him.
“You could see in camp how happy he is and enjoying his boxing
“I’m over the moon that he is back on track and back where he belongs.”
On the topic of being back on track, Troy’s triumph was not only spelled glory night for Williamson and Darlington, but it was a night to savour for Twins.
The Trimdon team are true warriors, not afraid to throw themselves into a challenge – Jordan Barker-Porter, Hepple, Kai Richmond, Ali Shah and Billy Wade have all taken on title fights, Dan English too had his opponent turned up.
“I think it will be a morale boost for the entire gym – they have seen Troy do it so they should say ‘why can’t we?’,” said Jordan.
“Last Saturday has certainly put us on the map.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
