By Owen Morgan
Liam Williams was first to the punch in the war of words with Demetrius Andrade after the WBO middleweight title fight between the two was confirmed.
The Clydach Vale boxer has described his American opponent as a “complete weirdo” ahead of their world title clash in Florida on April 17.
Williams, who hasn’t held back when commenting about Andrade while calling for this contest, has turned up the volume even further now it has been announced.
“I’ve been quite vocal saying I’ll smash him, and I actually am going to,” said mandatory challenger Williams after the much anticipated date was finally announced.
“I’ve waited for this for too long now, I’m not going to let it slip through my fingers, I’ll grab the opportunity with both hands.
https://twitter.com/EddieHearn/status/1370945795873251328
“I just think he’s a complete weirdo, a very strange man – I’ve watched him for some time, I used to be a bit of a fan of him back then, now I get the chance to share a ring with him and punch his face in and I can’t wait to do it.
“I’m going to punch lumps out of him, nonstop.
“The first couple of rounds could be tricky, but I believe that I will get on top of him and start beating him up.”
Southpaw Andrade – nicknamed Boo Boo – is undefeated in 29 fights and has held world championships in two weight divisions.
The Rhode Island boxer, making his fourth defence of his world title at 160lbs following a reign at super-middleweight, has previously made it clear he wants high profile fights against the likes of Gennady Golovkin (GGG) and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez rather than the dangerous Welshman.
“I think he might overlook me, possibly,” says Williams (23-2-1, 18 KOs).
“To be honest, maybe he has deserved to get a fight with Canelo, GGG. He’s been world champion for a long time, a two-weight and three-time champion, so he’s probably deserved those fights, but his time is up now and once I deal with him, I’ll get those fights.”
Williams says he won’t be changing his all-action, come-forward style for his crack at the world title.
“Have you ever seen me going into my shell in a fight? asks Williams. “I don’t think he’s going to have enough in him to make me do that, and let’s not forget, he’s not fought anyone like me.”
“When I start hitting him and hurting him, no-one really knows what he’s going to do. Who’s to say he’s not going to go into his shell?”
Andrade hasn’t exactly been shy and retiring in his comments since the announcement of the fight which will be staged at Hard Rock Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
The champion said: “Liam Williams, you got what you wanted. You ran your mouth, got your rating up and here we go. April 17 your career ends.
“Or maybe you go back to headlining small club shows in the UK I don’t know. What I do know is that you’re getting beaten badly and then I’m on to much bigger fights and bigger nights in my career.
“It’s no secret, this isn’t the fight I wanted, but now it’s here and I will be taking care of business, taking care of Liam Williams in spectacular fashion come April 17.”
The fight will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN. Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “This is a really good fight.
“In America, people don’t realize it’s as good a fight as it is. Liam is a big step-up from Demetrius’ recent opposition, and I think this is the fight ‘Boo Boo’ needs.
“I like Liam, he’s going to come in with real confidence and swagger and he’ll put it on Demetrius in the build-up, he’s a tough man and he will not take a backwards step against Demetrius, who will need to be at his best to prove he’s the number one middleweight in the world.”