Liam Wilson had his moments vs. Emanuel Navarrete. (Picture by Mikey Williams/Prime Rank Inc by way of Getty Photos)
Liam Wilson is viewing his subsequent combat towards Youssef Dib as an audition to face former Ring Journal light-weight champion George Kambosos Jr.
The 28-year-old from Caboolture in Queensland will step as much as the 135-pound division when he takes on Dib on the WIN Leisure Centre in Wollongong, New South Wales on July 10 in the principle assist bout to the junior featherweight combat between Sam Goodman and Chainoi Worawut.
Wilson (13-3, 7 KOs) is trying to discover his toes in a brand new weight class after falling brief in his final bout towards Oscar Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) in Glendale, Arizona in March. The in any other case aggressive combat was blown extensive open within the seventh spherical when Mexico’s Valdez landed a left hook to the jaw that damage Wilson, who tried to brawl his approach out of bother.
It was a courageous transfer that made for thrilling TV, however in the end led to a loss for Wilson, who was stopped on his toes by referee Mark Nelson at 2:48 mark after absorbing an amazing quantity of punishment.
Again dwelling in Australia, Wilson has been licking his wounds and retooling within the fitness center.
“I’ve had to return to the drafting board and repair up a variety of flaws I’ve made in my fights,” Wilson stated at Wednesday’s press convention to formally announce the No Restrict present.
“I’m able now that I’m all to accustomed to, sadly. I’m down behind the pecking order and I’ve to rebuild myself again up, present everybody what I’m made from and get myself a shot at one other world title.”
Wilson got here inside a whisker of defeating Emanuel Navarrete (38-2-1, 31 KOs) for the vacant WBO junior light-weight title in February final yr, detonating a left hook on Mexican’s jaw that put him on Queer Road earlier than bludgeoning him to the canvas within the fourth spherical in Glendale, Arizona.
However in a veteran transfer, Navarrete spit out his mouthpiece, shopping for himself valuable time to recuperate. He would go on to show the tables on Wilson, dropping him and stopping him within the ninth.
It was the one which bought away.
“I’m excited for this combat as a result of I’ve had two world title pictures, very shut fights for me, I felt like these fights fell by way of my finger ideas,” stated Wilson. “Now I’m again to sq. one. I’m out to show to everybody that I’m able to profitable a world title and this man is stepping in entrance of me.
“I’m arising in weight, it’s going to be a tricky combat, however I’m prepared, I’m excited. Let’s do it.”
The 31-year-old Dib (21-1, 11 KOs) of Sydney is a strong sufficient problem for the rebuilding Wilson. The youthful brother of former IBF featherweight titleholder Billy Dib is a essentially sound boxer who has proven a great chin to this point, whereas missing the kind of energy Wilson would should be cautious of.
“There’s a variety of satisfaction on this combat as a result of I do know his household has a giant title in Australian boxing. Billy Dib, Billel Dib and Youssef himself,” stated Wilson. “So, I’ve bought a variety of satisfaction with it and I’m trying to placed on a great combat, a great efficiency, and to return away with a pleasant decisive win.”
The true prize in Wilson’s eyes isn’t a victory over Dib, however a possible showdown with home rival Kambosos (21-3, 10 KOs). The 30-year-old Sydneysider was knocked out within the eleventh spherical by Ukrainian southpaw Vasiliy Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) in Perth, Western Australia on Might 12 and an all-Aussie blockbuster could possibly be simply what the physician ordered when he is able to get again within the ring.
It’s a combat that Wilson is definitely down for.
“As a staff, it’s going to be an experiment,” Wilson stated of shifting up in weight. “As an novice, I used to combat at welterweight. The load I’m combating as now, I haven’t been that weight since I used to be 15, 16 years previous. Going as much as light-weight, we’ll see. If I’m feeling match and robust, good and wholesome, I’ll keep there.
“I do know George Kambosos is at that weight. If all goes effectively, I’d prefer to go for that kind of combat, if it could possibly occur. I don’t know what his plans are, however yeah.
“Going by way of this camp I’ve seen it as a remaining eliminator for George Kambosos. I stated I’d transfer as much as light-weight for George Kambosos and that’s it. However right here I’m towards Youssef Dib and funnily sufficient, Youssef Dib has known as out George Kambosos a couple of occasions too.
“I’m doing this camp purely as a result of we each wish to combat George Kambosos.
“I hear folks again dwelling, the common, on a regular basis individual, they at all times ask me: ‘When are you combating George Kambosos? When are you going to repair him up and knock him out?’
“I’m like, ‘Pay attention, I’ll do you the favor, alright?’
“Hopefully we will get it taking place.”
