Liam Cameron: Fighting Back into Title Contention

[Wake up call]

A piece I've done on Liam Cameron, a true top lad.

Liam Cameron: Fighting Back into Title Contention

By Andrew Wake:

Liam Cameron has felt amazing highs and terrible lows during his two-and-a-half years in the professional ranks.

The former ABA champion, nicknamed “Cannonball”, found himself in the rare position of being bill-topper when made his berth in the paid side of the sport at the City Hall, Sheffield back in October 2009.

A bumper crowd packed into the cosy venue to see him defeat grizzled veteran Matt Scriven on points over six-two minute rounds. After that, the momentum built up and soon he was spoken about as one of the best prospects in the country.

But his journey to the top hit a pothole in the road last May when he was outboxed by Kenyan-born Londoner Erick Ochieng.

It was a result which in an instant brought the fanfare to a screeching halt.

“I’ve never had a fight go worse than that,” the 21-year-old says. “It’s been a bit stale since then. I’ve just been winning fights but no-one really talks about me now.

“To be honest, I should have pulled out against Ochieng. I’m massive at middleweight so trying to get down to 11 stone the day before was crazy. I think I needed to change gyms as well. I can’t slag off Chris Smedley because he’s done everything for me and was in my corner from day one, but I needed to change.

“On top of that we had the baby (daughter India 6lbs 3oz) the week before so I didn’t have any sleep for days and I just felt weak. I should have pulled out because from the first bell I knew there was no snap in my punches.”

Despite the defeat, Cameron’s army of supporters have remained loyal.

For many boxers a first blemish sees the number of people prepared to shell out for tickets dwindling significantly. The young Yorkshireman, however, still attracts a sizable following, but he believes a championship fight is needed if he’s to keep the numbers up.

“I think I need a belt to show them and keep them interested,” Cameron says. “I’m not being big-headed but I think I could have won a British Masters title in like my sixth fight because I’ve boxed people who have fought for them like Jason Ball. He’s got two belts now.

“It’s annoying to see them boxing for titles when I’ve already beat them. I suppose I’ve just got to keep my head down, keep training and hope the chances come.”

If Cameron needs any evidence of the spoils which can be garnered through perseverance then he only needs to look at what his new trainer Clinton Woods achieved during his professional career.

Woods was never considered a prospect when he turned over back in 1994 and had to battle through the hard way before winning British, Commonwealth, European and eventually world titles.

“I’ve been lucky in some ways because Clinton told me that when he started out he was just a guy who liked to have a fight and he didn’t even get on TV until something like his 18th fight,” Liam reveals.

“I think moving to Clinton is the best thing I’ve ever done. When you’re in the corner with him you know you can have full faith because he’s been there and done it himself. If I’m slacking he’s not one of those types that says’ oh you’re doing really well’, he’ll have a right go at me.

“I can feel myself getting stronger in sparring now and that’s thanks to his training. I’m hurting my sparring partners more and I’m doing different tricks as well. I land shots now which I didn’t before.”

A title fight is next on the agenda for the Steel City-native, but potential derbies with Jez Wilson and Castleford’s Luke Robinson have failed to materialise.

Cameron is still pencilled in for a ten round fight on Dennis Hobson’s promotion at the Don Valley Stadium on April 14th, but if no kind of bauble is on the line he is happy to just add to his W column and build towards bigger opportunities in the future.

“What I want to is get a get a good ranking in the top ten. I’ll just keep training and we’ll see if owt comes up for a title,” he says.

“I’d fight anyone at middleweight. Being realistic, I won’t get a fight with the top three (Macklin, Barker and Murray), but I think I would beat the rest of the division.

“Nick Blackwell has the English title and that’s a fight I’d definitely take.

“I don’t think I’ve shown people what I’m capable of yet. I’ve only been boxing at 40 per cent so I think some people have forgotten about my career and I’ve got to spark them with something. I can’t wait to prove what I’m about to them by fighting for the English and then the British title.”

http://www.secondsout.com/news/main-new ... contention

[danfoster]

Nice piece - Cameron v Blackwell for the English would be an attractive main undercard fight

[Podmore_Birmingham]

Nice piece - Cameron v Blackwell for the English would be an attractive main undercard fight

Have been told Nick's likely to relinquish his title in the next couple of months.

So how about Renda-Cameron for the vacant belt, after Cello's second comeback fight on June 8?

[canonball1234]

Blackwell should fight me before he let's the belt go be a good fight see what happends

[Wake up call]

Luke Robinson would have been a good fight to fair Liam. He's got a win over Ochieng and I'm told he got shafted against Matt Hainy.

[canonball1234]

Yeah would have been a great fight but they won't box me in Sheffield as they posted on boxrec.

[pyenest77]

Liam v Renda would be awesome!!!

[leforge]

Thought Blackwell v Saunders had gone to purse bids.

[canonball1234]

Forget politics lets get it on!!!

[Night-Nurse]

alistair warren is available for central area title fight may ,june,july.....

[Wake up call]

That would be a decent scrap.

[Night-Nurse]

then lets get it on mr wake.....10 rounder...any title....great fight.....no problems this end and we,ll come to sheffield....

[canonball1234]

Not a problem this end I would rather fight Robinson/hill/Blackwell if can get

[Alexey Uralets]

Liam vs Sam Smart, John Ryder or Adam Etches might be nice i suppose

[curtis wood]

some good fights out there for you, losing could have been a good thing as its taken abit of pressure off and allowed you to learn your craft away from the spotlight, a boxing career is a slow burner, it takes ups and downs to complete a fighter as clinton will know better than most, good luck pal, put in the graft and good things will happen

[canonball1234]

Thanks Curtis appreciate it

[Dirk Kelly]

What happened to you fighting Tony Hill?

[canonball1234]

I was 11,6 day before weighin and two days later Tony's trainer/manager called up saying can we do it at 11,10 he couldn't do 11,6

[Night-Nurse]

Not a problem this end I would rather fight Robinson/hill/Blackwell if can get

if its not a problem just say yes......if its not a yes then i'd say its a problem at your end...if its a yes then we'll get rolling with it...

[danfoster]

Not a problem this end I would rather fight Robinson/hill/Blackwell if can get

if its not a problem just say yes......if its not a yes then i'd say its a problem at your end...if its a yes then we'll get rolling with it...

Why don't you just ring his manager if you want to make an offer?

[canonball1234]

Thank you danfoster.. Chris come on pal don't question me about matchin a fight I told Dennis no disrespect to your lad I like to fight the English champion I need to have a step up I couldn't get a match this fight for area title

[fightacademy]

Iv got Stuart Brookes who il be looking to match in title fights

[canonball1234]

Any more?? 8)

[Night-Nurse]

luke robinson and warren are about same level and are both better than anyone youve fought bar ocheing...rung dennis wating reply...you not doing a bad job of matching yourself youve named half a dozen on here and i quote....i would beat anyone outside of top 3 in country...as i said for any title....we'll do tickets and come to sheffield

[canonball1234]

Alaster warren just been beat easy by John Ryder I heard? I called out very good opponents but if Dennis hasent got me a match am sure he will take that fight no problem.