Liam Williams (boxer)

Last updated

Liam Williams
Born (1992-05-26) 26 May 1992 (age 32)
Church Village, Wales
NationalityWelsh
Other namesThe Machine
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights31
Wins25
Wins by KO20
Losses5
Draws1
Website www.liamwilliams.co.uk

Liam Williams (born 26 May 1992) is a Welsh former professional boxer who competed from 2011 to 2024. He has challenged once for the WBO interim light-middleweight title in 2017, and once for the WBO middleweight title in 2021. At regional level, he has held multiple championships, including the Commonwealth light-middleweight title from 2014 to 2015; the British light-middleweight title from 2015 to 2016; and the British middleweight title from 2018 to 2020.

Contents

Early life

Williams was born in Church Village and currently resides in Clydach Vale in the Rhondda Valleys. Prior to his professional boxing career, he worked as a roofer. [1]

Amateur career

In an amateur career which he claims began at age nine, Williams says he won 44 out of 49 fights, gaining many awards in Britain and Europe. "I won seven Welsh titles at all age levels, including the 2011 Senior ABAs when I was just 18. I beat Warren Sinden, who’s now a pro, by a wide points margin in the 75KG final." [2]

Professional career

Williams turned professional as a light-middleweight in 2011. Aged 18, he won every round against the more experienced Ryan Clark [3] and won the vacant Commonwealth light-middleweight title in November 2014 with a 2nd-round-stoppage win over Michael Lomax. [4]

Williams vs. Carslaw

The following year, he added the vacant British national title by stopping Kris Carslaw in the second round of their bout at Manchester Arena. [5]

Williams vs. Corcoran

He retained both titles in defeating a previously unbeaten Gary Corcoran at the Ice Arena Wales on 16 July 2016 with an 11th-round stoppage in what has been described as a gruesome grudge match. [6]

Williams vs. Smith

Williams was controversially defeated by former WBO light-middleweight world champion Liam Smith on 8 April 2017 at the Manchester Arena. Owing to incorrect weight for the bout, [7] Smith was ineligible to inherit the interim WBO light-middleweight world title (held by Canelo Álvarez who is moving to a higher weight and expected to vacate the title). [8]

Williams vs. Fox

On 21 December 2019 Williams fought Alantez Fox, ranked #2 by the WBO and #12 by the IBF at middleweight. Williams won the fight with a fifth-round stoppage. [9] [10]

Williams vs. Robinson

On 10 October 2020 Williams defeated Andrew Robinson with a first-round knockout. [11] [12]

Williams vs. Andrade

On 17 April 2021, Williams unsuccessfully challenged undefeated WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade for his world title, losing a unanimous decision with scores of 118–109, 118–109, 116–111. [13] [14]

Williams vs. Eubank Jr

On 5 February 2022 Williams fought Chris Eubank Jr, ranked #1 by the WBA, #3 by the WBC, #5 by the WBO and #7 by The Ring. Eubank Jr scored four knockdowns en route to a 12-round unanimous decision victory, the judges scoring it 117-109, 116-109 and 116-108 for Eubank Jr. [15] [16]

Williams vs. Sheeraz

Williams was stopped in round one by Commonwealth middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz at the Copper Box Arena in London on 10 February 2024. [17] [18]

Retirement

Williams announced his retirement from professional boxing in October 2024, stating he had suffered several concussions throughout his career and was concerned about chronic traumatic encephalopathy. [19] [20]

Professional boxing record

31 fights25 wins5 losses
By knockout202
By decision53
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
31Loss25–5–1 Hamzah Sheeraz TKO1 (12), 2:3610 Feb 2024Copper Box Arena, London, EnglandFor WBC Silver and Commonwealth middleweight titles
30Win25–4–1Florin CardosTKO1 (8), 1:1724 Nov 2023York Hall, London, England
29Win24–4–1Nizar TrimechTKO2 (10), 2:1325 Nov 2022 York Hall, London, England
28Loss23–4–1 Chris Eubank Jr. UD125 Feb 2022 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales
27Loss23–3–1 Demetrius Andrade UD1217 Apr 2021 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USFor WBO middleweight title
26Win23–2–1Andrew RobinsonKO1 (12), 1:2810 Oct 2020BT Sport Studio, London, EnglandRetained British middleweight title
25Win22–2–1 Alantez Fox TKO5 (12), 2:5921 Dec 2019 Copper Box Arena, London, EnglandWon vacant WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title
24Win21–2–1Karim AchourTKO2 (12), 1:5113 Jul 2019 The O2 Arena, London, EnglandWon vacant WBC Silver middleweight title
23Win20–2–1Joe MullenderKO2 (12), 1:098 Mar 2019 Royal Albert Hall, London, EnglandRetained British middleweight title
22Win19–2–1 Mark Heffron TKO10 (12), 1:5522 Dec 2018Manchester Arena, Manchester, EnglandWon vacant British middleweight title
21Win18–2–1Craig NicholsonKO2 (8), 2:367 Sep 2018Vale Sports Arena, Cardiff, Wales
20Win17–2–1Darryl SharpTKO3 (8), 1:4914 Apr 2018Ice Arena, Cardiff, Wales
19Loss16–2–1 Liam Smith MD1211 Nov 2017 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, England
18Loss16–1–1 Liam Smith RTD9 (12), 3:008 Apr 2017Manchester Arena, Manchester, EnglandFor WBO interim light-middleweight title
17Win16–0–1Gabor GörbicsTKO8 (10), 1:3026 Nov 2016 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, WalesWon vacant WBO European light-middleweight title
16Win15–0–1 Gary Corcoran TKO11 (12), 2:1016 Jul 2016 Ice Arena Wales, Cardiff, EnglandRetained British light-middleweight title
15Win14–0–1Gustavo Alberto SanchezTKO3 (8), 2:034 Jun 2016Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
14Win13–0–1Kris CarslawTKO2 (12), 0:1019 Dec 2015Manchester Arena, Manchester, EnglandRetain Commonwealth light-middleweight title;
Won vacant British light-middleweight title
13Win12–0–1 Michael Lomax TKO1 (12), 2:4827 Nov 2014 Hilton Hotel, London, EnglandWon vacant Commonwealth light-middleweight title
12Win11–0–1 Štěpán Horváth KO2 (8), 0:3625 Oct 2014Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
11Win10–0–1Ronnie HeffronRTD6 (10), 3:0026 Jul 2014 Phones 4u Arena, Manchester, England
10Win9–0–1Yuri PompilioTKO8 (8), 0:535 Apr 2014Stadthalle, Rostock, Germany
9Draw8–0–1 Tyan Booth TD3 (8), 1:087 Dec 2013 Echo Arena, Liverpool, EnglandTD after Booth cut from accidental head clash
8Win8–0Darren CodonaPTS817 Aug 2013 Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff, Wales
7Win7–0Jamie AmblerPTS64 May 2013Rhondda Fach Sports Centre, Tylorstown, Wales
6Win6–0Dan BlackwellTKO3 (6), 1:1623 Feb 2013Newport Centre, Newport, Wales
5Win5–0Tony RandellTKO1 (4), 1:0430 Nov 2012 Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
4Win4–0Paul MorbyTKO1 (4), 0:2122 Sep 2012Rhondda Fach Sports Centre, Tylorstown, Wales
3Win3–0Gilson De JesusPTS425 May 2012Newport Centre, Newport, Wales
2Win2–0Tommy TolanPTS425 Feb 2012 Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales
1Win1–0Ryan ClarkPTS419 Nov 2011 Newport Centre, Newport, Wales

Related Research Articles

Nigel Gregory Benn is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1987 to 1996. He held world titles in two weight classes, including the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and the WBC super-middleweight title from 1992 to 1996. At the regional level, he held the Commonwealth middleweight title from 1988 to 1989. He scored notable wins over Champions Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley, Thulani Malinga, Mauro Galvano and Gerald McClellan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur Abraham</span> Armenian-German boxer

Avetik Abrahamyan, best known as Arthur Abraham, is an Armenian-German former professional boxer who competed from 2003 to 2018. He held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the IBF middleweight title from 2005 to 2009, and the WBO super-middleweight title twice between 2012 and 2016.

Demetrius Cesar Andrade is an American professional boxer. He has held multiple world championships in two weight classes, at light middleweight and middleweight. As an amateur, he won the U.S. national championships and Golden Gloves twice each, a gold medal at the 2007 World Championships, and represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympics; all in the welterweight division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Joe Saunders</span> British boxer

Billy Joe Saunders is a British professional boxer. He is the first fighter from the Travelling community to win world championships in two weight classes, including the WBO middleweight title from 2015 to 2018 and the WBO super-middleweight title from 2019 to 2021. At regional level, he held the European, British, and Commonwealth middleweight titles between 2012 and 2015. Saunders represented Great Britain at the 2008 Olympics as an amateur, reaching the second round of the welterweight bracket. In the same year, he won gold at the EU Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Eubank Jr</span> British professional boxer (born 1989)

Christopher Livingstone Eubank Jr. is a British professional boxer. He has held the International Boxing Organization (IBO) middleweight title since October 2024. Previously, he held the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim middleweight title twice between 2015 and 2021. He also held the (IBO) super-middleweight title twice between 2017 and 2019. At regional level, he held the British middleweight title in 2016. He is the son of former two-division world champion boxer, Chris Eubank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canelo Álvarez</span> Mexican boxer (born 1990)

Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán, commonly known as Canelo or Saúl Álvarez, is a Mexican professional boxer. He has held multiple world championships in four weight classes from light middleweight to light heavyweight, including unified titles in three of those weight classes and lineal titles in two. In 2021, Álvarez became the first and only boxer in history to become the undisputed champion at super middleweight, holding this distinction until July 2024. He has also held the Ring magazine super middleweight title since 2020.

Jermell DeAvante Charlo is an American professional boxer. He held the undisputed light middleweight championship from 2022 to 2023 and The Ring light middleweight title from 2020 to 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Rose (boxer)</span> British professional boxer (born 1985)

Brian Rose is a British professional boxer. He challenged once for the WBO light middleweight title in 2014. At regional level, he held the British light middleweight title from 2011 to 2012.

Janibek Alimkhanuly is a Kazakh professional boxer and unified middleweight champion who has held the WBO title since 2022, and the IBF title since October 2023. As an amateur, he won gold medals at the 2013 World Championships, 2013 Asian Championships and 2014 Asian Games. He also represented Kazakhstan at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the middleweight division, losing in the quarter-finals. He won the WBO Interim middleweight title on May 21, 2022, before being elevated to full champion on August 30, 2022, and he then won the IBF title on October 14, 2023.

Liam Mark Smith is a British professional boxer. He held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light-middleweight title from 2015 to 2016. At regional level, he has held multiple light-middleweight championships, including the British and Commonwealth titles between 2012 and 2015.

Maciej Sulęcki is a Polish professional boxer who challenged for the WBO middleweight title in 2019.

Bradley Skeete is a British professional boxer. He held the British welterweight title from 2016 to 2017 and the Commonwealth welterweight title in 2016.

Joshua Buatsi is a British professional boxer. He has held World Boxing Organization (WBO) interim light-heavyweight title since September 2024. At regional level, he has held the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles since February 2024, and previously held the British title in 2019. As an amateur, he won light-heavyweight bronze medals at the 2015 European Championships and the 2016 Olympics.

Josh Kelly is an English professional boxer who has held the British light-middleweight title since 2022 and previously the Commonwealth welterweight title from 2018 to 2019. As an amateur competed in the men's welterweight event at the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2015 European Games, in which he won a bronze medal, representing Great Britain.

Brian Carlos Castaño is an Argentine professional boxer. He held the WBO light middleweight title between 2021 and 2022 and previously held the WBA interim light middleweight title from 2016 to 2018, and the WBA (Regular) light middleweight title from 2018 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaime Munguía</span> Mexican boxer (born 1996)

Jaime Aarón Munguía Escobedo is a Mexican professional boxer. He held the WBO junior middleweight title from 2018 to 2019.

Felix Cash is an English professional boxer. He has held the Commonwealth middleweight title since 2019 and the British middleweight title since 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamzah Sheeraz</span> British boxer

Mohammed Hamzah Sheeraz is a British professional boxer. He has held the Commonwealth middleweight title since 2022.

Boxing in the 2020s is a list of notable fights and events in boxing during the decade from the year 2020 to 2029.

Shannon Ryan is an English professional boxer who is the WBA female super-flyweight International champion. She also challenged for the Commonwealth and inaugural British female super-flyweight titles.

References

  1. ↑ "The Rhondda roofer who could be Wales' next boxing world champion". 18 January 2019.
  2. ↑ Evans, Glynn (31 December 2014). "In Depth With Liam Williams". boxingnews24.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  3. ↑ McRae, Donald. Liam Williams: It’s unusual for one terrible incident to happen in your career. But twice? The Guardian , 17 October 2016
  4. ↑ "Statistics at boxrec.com". boxrec.com. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  5. ↑ Welsh boxer Liam Williams wins British and Commonwealth titles. Wales Online , 20 December 2015
  6. ↑ Bunce, Steve, Liam Williams and Gary Corcoran gave us a rare, genuine grudge match. The Independent , 19 July 2016
  7. ↑ Pearlman, Michael (8 April 2017). "Liam Smith beats Liam Williams after the Welshman's corner pull him out". BBC Sport Wales. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  8. ↑ Rafael, Dan (24 March 2017). "Liam Smith and Liam Williams to fight for WBO interim junior middleweight title". ESPN . Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  9. ↑ "Liam Williams Drops, Batters, Stops Alantez Fox in Fifth". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "Liam Williams Dispatches Fox; Becomes WBO Mandatory!". 3kingsboxing. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  11. ↑ "Liam Williams Crushes Andrew Robinson in One Round". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "Liam Williams: Welshman stops Andrew Robinson in first round". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  13. ↑ "Demetrius Andrade flashes all skills in outclassing Liam Williams toward unanimous decision | DAZN News UK". DAZN. 18 April 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  14. ↑ "Demetrius Andrade Drops, Decisions a Game Liam Williams To Retain". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  15. ↑ "Chris Eubank Jr knocked Liam Williams down four times in a statement win to settle their rivalry". Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  16. ↑ "Chris Eubank Jr. Drops Liam Williams Four Times, Wins Decision". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  17. ↑ "Boxing: Hamzah Sheeraz stops Liam Williams in one round in London". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  18. ↑ "Hamzah Sheeraz Destroys Liam Williams in One Round". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  19. ↑ "Boxer Williams retires after 'several concussions'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  20. ↑ "Liam Williams announces his retirement at 32, citing a fear of CTE as a contributing factor". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.