By Rob Cole
Liam Williams is weighing up his options after adding the British Middleweight title to his collection with a convincing 10th round stoppage of Mark Heffron.
Nicknamed ‘Kid Dynamite’, Heffron had prepared for the fight at the Manchester Arena by sparring with the man who beat the Welshman last time out, Liam Smith. There was no dynamite and no problem for Williams.
The Church Village boxer dominated from start to finish. Heffron was cut early on, knocked down and then finished off ruthlessly in the 10th. Now Williams has to decide at which weight to fight in the future.
Having already won British, Commonwealth and European titles, as well as challenged for an interim world crown at 154lbs (Light Middlweight), Williams is keeping his options open after notching his 19th victory in 22 fights.
“It depends what’s offered whether I stay at middleweight. I can still make light-middle and unless I’m offered something great, I’ll be going back down,” said the 26-year-old.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed to be honest. I don’t want to sound like I am too good for the British title, but I have bigger plans.
“I knew I had it in the tank. I am not saying it because we are in the same gym, but I am confident I will beat at middleweight or light-middleweight anybody outside of Billy Joe Saunders.”
Williams showcased his strong jab right from the off to keep the undefeated Heffron at arms length, but was warned to remain patient by trainer Dominic Ingle.
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Heffron was cut under the eye after a series of head clashes in the second round and had blood trickling down his cheek.
Heffron tried to smile his way through things, seeking to land one of his trademark power-punches, but the solid jabs and strong counters from Williams had him way ahead as he won every round. After four rounds, Heffron had offered nothing to his army of fans and looked completely demoralised.
A beautiful left-hook from the Welshman that landed flush on the Oldham fighter’s chin got his fans going in the fifth and he followed that up with a terrific right hand that forced his opponent to stumble.
Williams barely put a foot wrong, although he was given a ticking off for landing a low blow that gave Heffron a minute long breather to recover. He needed the break, but nothing changed after that.
The end came in the 10th round after another terrific right hand from the Welshman forced Heffron onto the canvas.
Then he went in for the kill and forced the stoppage to silence the Manchester crowd and complete another major success at the end of a wonderful year for Welsh sport.