Stevie Williams aims to take on British champion Lenny Daws

[HS Press]

ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON LIVERPOOL ECHO.CO.UK – 6TH JULY

Stevie Williams aims to take on British champion Lenny Daws in centre of ring

STEVIE WILLIAMS has urged British champion Lenny Daws to “meet him in the centre of the ring” ahead of their highly anticipated title showdown this weekend.

After just nine pro fights Williams’ rocketing career takes him to the cusp of Lonsdale Belt success and Friday night’s light-welterweight domestic dust-up has got the whole industry talking.

Both fighters hate to take a backwards step, both are always super-fit and both like to throw tons of leather. Styles make fights and these are two fighters in every sense of the word.

Daws, now 31 and enjoying his second stint as British champion, loves to wear down his opponents and with just one defeat on his 20-1-2 pro record his all-action style is usually a sure fire winner.

However, Williams is adamant that he has the heart and desire to beat Daws at his own game – and in the champions backyard too – later this week.

Williams said: “I’ve trained hard, really hard. Probably the hardest I’ve ever trained because I know this is going to be the toughest fight of my career.

“We have similar styles. We both like to stand and trade and I know a lot of people in boxing are saying that this is going to be the fight of the year, and I have to agree.

“I think this is going to be a war. A matter of who wants it most and that’s what I’ve trained for.

“I’ve had good sparring with the likes of John Watson and even Shea Neary, along with my mate Wes Fleming – who is a middleweight – and a couple of John Smith’s lads too. So I’m nice and sharp.

“Everything has gone to plan and this has been my best camp since I turned over. So I’m ready.”

While Daws will undoubtedly have the home crowd behind him on Friday, after all eight of his last 11 fights have been in Bethnal Green and he lives just 13 miles away, Williams also has happy memories of the venue.

The 26-year-old captured the English title in his last fight there in February when he first entered the lion’s den to outbox another London fighter Michael Grant.

Williams adds: “I beat Grant there so York Hall doesn’t intimidate me. I’m looking forward to it.

“The atmosphere in York Hall should be electric because we both have good support while real boxing fans know that this is going to be an exciting fight.

“I have one seriously noisy travelling fanbase.

“There may only be about 100 of them on Friday but they’ll scream the house down and I know I’ll feel right at home.
“By the time they get going it will feel like I’m back fighting at the Olympia.”

To be directed to the article on Liverpool Echo.co.uk please click or paste the following link http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/bo ... -26791840/

For further information and ticket details on this event please check out http://www.hennessysports.com or http://www.matchroomsport.com

[Chris W 1982]

Big ask for Stevie but his style will clash well with Daws'.

Friday night could be interesting boys.

[fasteddie]

well lenny daws is known as the machine right? prove it on friday and meet in the middle and let's see who want's it most,lenny daws wont know pressure fighting like he will know on friday night

[ste harkin]

should be a cracker!! good luck ste!

[Jeff Thomas]

I like Steve, dead nice kid- bit Lenny should be too experienced for him.

[15829]

lenny to force a stoppage between 10-12 should be a great fight tho

[Jeff Thomas]

what sort of amateur record did williams have? thinking of lumping on daws here very experienced lad to be fighting in only your tenth fight

North West finalist I think, fought Khan lost by stoppage in two in his last fight of the ABA's (the one where he was accused of ducking Micheal Grant ).

He's a good kid is Steve, I give him half a chance so I wouldn't get to keen with the betting there Billy. These young un's who come through sometimes cross over championship class very easy. I'm thinking a 115-113 win for Daws here.

[alexpaterson]

This fight has got me really excited both are come forward fighters, I think Williams may be stronger but Daws will have the fitness and experience, i am really looking forward to this one should be a cracker

[fasteddie]

what sort of amateur record did williams have? thinking of lumping on daws here very experienced lad to be fighting in only your tenth fight

North West finalist I think, fought Khan lost by stoppage in two in his last fight of the ABA's (the one where he was accused of ducking Micheal Grant ).

He's a good kid is Steve, I give him half a chance so I wouldn't get to keen with the betting there Billy. These young un's who come through sometimes cross over championship class very easy. I'm thinking a 115-113 win for Daws here.

ste lost by 3rd round stoppage but it wasnt he was in trouble it was the 20 point thing in the amateurs were they say your getting out classed,but remember this it was when amir khan got back from the olympics and the judges had unsteady fingers,they pressing the buttons when amir didnt connect.

i hope daws has trained for a tough fight cause i think this will be daws toughest opponent to date too

[THEBUTCH]

Daws doesn't know how to NOT train

Cracking fight in prospect, Daws may find it tough coming to terms with Williams in the first 5 rounds or so (like he did with Morrison) but when he finds his grove he will takeover. Just depends on how many rounds Williams can bag early, or how big he can win the early ones, that will prevent Lenny from winning.

Personally I'd have like to have see Frankie Gavin box Williams for his English title doubling up as an eliminator, then Daws to defend against winner, rather than see Gavin waste his time boxing Woodhouse, which is a complete formality.