Talk about not messing about. Having executed the greatest night of his career, Troy Williamson is targeting something equally special.
After ripping the British, Commonwealth and European super-middleweight titles from Callum Simpson in Leeds before Christmas, the new champion wants a showdown with Hamzah Sheeraz.
Just as Simpson was previous to meeting ‘Trojan’, Sheeraz is a top-ranked world talent with an unbeaten record.
The Essex giant boasts a 22-0-1 fight log, with 18 wins inside the distance, and is ranked in the top 10 of all four major governing bodies – two (WBC), three (WBO), four (WBA) and eight (IBF) while the renowned Ring Magazine rate him as the eighth best super-middle on the planet.
If Sheeraz witnessed Williamson putting down Simpson FOUR times in round 10 of their showdown at the First Direct Arena or watched the Darlington 34-year-old stop Mark Dickinson in spectacular style in September then you can bet a pound to a penny that he will give him a wide berth.
But punch-lines asked Troy the question of ‘who’s next?’ and it would be rude of us not to publish his answer.
“Hamzah is the mandatory challenger for the European title,” said the two-weight British champion.
“Me and Hamzah have a bit of history. We were meant to fight in 2019 when we were both at super-welter and I was with Frank Warren.
“The fight was signed twice but never materialised – the first time I got an injury and the second time Hamzah got injured and then moved up.
“I hope it will be third time lucky.”
Within minutes of the dramatic 10th-round stoppage of Simpson, there was talk of promoters Boxxer triggering the re-match clause in the contract.
Boxxer’s head honcho Ben Shalom told punch-lines that he would like it to be an outdoor event at Oakwell, the ground of Simpson’s beloved Barnsley FC, or back at the First Direct Arena.
But Williamson questioned whether Simpson’s team would contemplate a re-match given the convincing way the original
“I don’t think they’ll want it to be fair,” said the new champion.
“I think a fight like that and the way I finished it takes a lot out of a boxer.
“Who knows though? We’ll see.”
It was suggested after the fight that Eddie Hearn had exercised a clause to sign Williamson which would surely prove lucrative to the Jordan Williams-trained boxer.
Troy’s incredible performance will be rewarded with some seriously high world-ratings – before the battle of the Northern lights, Simpson held three top 10 ratings, at five (IBF), seven (WBA) and eight (WBO) while the WBC had him listed at 11.
Such numbers put Williamson in world championship contention and what a prospect that would be to a man written off by many ahead of his North-East derby against Dickinson.
Not a lot gave Troy much of a chance against an undefeated Simpson, but the Co Durham warrior trumped that Dickinson stoppage.
“I told everyone exactly what was going to happen.
“Every interview I did I told people that this was my weight class – some thought I was bluffing and talking rubbish but look at the belts.
“I’m the British, Commonwealth and European super-middleweight champion. This is my weight class and I’m here to stay.”
Sheeraz is unlikely to go down the Williamson route but there will be those prepared to stick their head above the parapet.
If they do, ‘Trojan’ might well be there to knock it off!
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jason Corbett/ Mindenwood Photography
