Liam Williams celebrating victory over Alantez Fox in 2019. Pic : Getty Images.

Williams Finally Gets Eubank Jr Clash….And The Chance To Redeem World Title Loss

By Gareth James

Liam Williams’ eagerly-awaited middleweight showdown against Chris Eubank Jr. has been rearranged for February 5 at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.

A shoulder injury to Williams scuppered an initial December 11 bout while the British Boxing Board of Control’s decision to suspend all events within its jurisdiction this month meant a rescheduled January 29 date fell through.

There were fears Williams may have had to surrender home advantage as fans in Wales are currently prohibited from attending sporting events although various Covid-19 curbs are being withdrawn over the next few weeks.

With spectators allowed back into sporting venues from Friday, a grudge fight between two fighters seeking to enhance their claims for another shot at a world title has been given the go-ahead to proceed on the first weekend of February.

Eubank (31-2, 23KOs) has won his last five since being outpointed by then WBA super-middleweight champion George Groves in February 2018 while Williams (23-3-1, 18KOs) has been out of action since losing to WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade last April.

Embed from Getty Images

Williams’ fellow Welshman and former British and Commonwealth Champion Chris ‘Rock ‘n’ Rolla’ Jenkins (22-4-3, 8 KO’s) heads to his nation’s capital from his hometown of Garnant as he faces former Unified World Champion Julius Indongo (23-4, 12 KO’s) in a massive welterweight showdown.

Indongo’s last visit on these shores in April 2017 saw him relieve Ricky Burns of his world titles at his Glasgow fortress and will hold no fear facing Jenkins in front of his fierce fan base.

Fast-rising Welsh hot shot Rhys Edwards (11-0, 4 KO’s) looks to maintain his undefeated run and make his countrymen proud in an eight-round super-bantamweight contest against experienced Russian Ruslan Berchuk (13-13, 4 KO’s).

The 21-year-old, from Penygraig, is trained by former world champion Gary Lockett and has been heralded as one of the best up-and-coming prospects in the sport.

Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and a winner of multiple world titles in three different weight classes, will make her UK debut as the chief support.

Shields (11-0, 2KOs) will defend her WBA, WBC and IBF middleweight crowns against unbeaten Ema Kozin (21-0-1, 11 KOs) ahead of an anticipated meeting against WBO titlist Savannah Marshall later this year.

Embed from Getty Images

Caroline Dubois, who competed at Tokyo 2020 and is the sister of heavyweight boxer Daniel, will make her professional debut on the undercard.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *