Liam Wilson is able to turn out to be Australia’s subsequent boxing world champion.
On Saturday (AEDT), Wilson get the prospect to hitch an unique membership of Australian world champions when he takes on Mexican Emanuel Navarete for the WBO tremendous featherweight world title in Phoenix, Arizona.
Navarete (36-1) has held the WBO belt since 2020 and hasn’t misplaced a battle in a decade, that means Wilson (11-1) will go into the battle as a heavy underdog.
He’s an $8 outsider with Australian bookies and even longer odds in abroad markets.
Watch Australia’s personal Liam Wilson take his shot on the WBO super-featherweight title in opposition to Emanuel Navarrete Dwell and Free Feb 4 on Kayo Freebies. Be a part of now and begin streaming immediately >
However underdog standing doesn’t hassle Wilson, who is set to turn out to be world champion and fulfil a promise he made to his dad earlier than he died when he was a young person.
“It’s loopy man,” Wilson informed information.com.au of the prospect to battle for a world title.
“It’s simply across the nook. I haven’t carried out it but. That’s the final job I’ve bought to do. I’ve carried out the exhausting work in coaching.
“I’ve bought a battle to win and that’s to turn out to be world champion. It’s been a dream of mine for a few years. I made a promise to my dad after I was a younger child that I’d be world champion for him at some point.
“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster as a result of I really feel like I’ve rather a lot to stay as much as in that means. However I’ve been working very exhausting for it and I’m going to win this battle.
“It is the top {of professional} boxing. It feels fairly surreal at instances as effectively. I lay in mattress eager about it and wow.”
A shock loss to Joe Noynay in 2021 despatched Wilson right into a downward spiral that noticed his psychological well being hit all-time low.
However after avenging that loss to Noynay in a rematch and profitable his final evening, Wilson is able to tackle Navarete, and mentioned one other one among his trademark left hooks from hell might ship him the world title.
“Mate, I don’t need to jinx it however there’s fairly good probability I feel,” Wilson mentioned of his left hand ending the battle.
“I’m picturing in my head he’s going to be lunging ahead together with his uppercut. I really feel like technically he’s fairly flawed and I’ve to catch him when he is available in. Both means it’s going to be a great battle however the left hook will likely be there able to go.
“I do know he’s a harmful opponent. He’s been undefeated for 10 years. That’s a reasonably lengthy reign for a champion and he’s very skilled. He’s been in these fights many instances earlier than. “In that sense I’m up in opposition to it. He’s very unorthodox. He’s harmful together with his lead hand, his uppercut.”
Wilson was initially slated to battle Archie Sharp on the undercard of Tim Tszyu’s world title battle with Jermell Charlo, earlier than an harm to Charlo scuppered these plans.
However the delay has labored in Wilson’s favour — giving his hand extra time to heal as he headed to the USA for a further eight-week coaching camp.
The rescheduled battle has additionally give Wilson the prospect to step out of Tszyu’s shadow as he seeks to hitch Jai Opetaia, Dennis Hogan, Ebanie Bridges and Cherneka Johnson as the one present Australian boxing world champions.
“It’s labored out completely timing smart, the way it all performed out,” the 26-year-old Queenslander mentioned.
“I used to be preparing for the Tim Tszyu undercard finish of January and got here out of the operation on my hand.
“Take nothing away from Tim, I’m trying ahead to his battle as effectively. However it’s been good for the limelight to be on me and shine round on me for my showdown, my world title battle and for the entire nation to tune in and watch me.”
Wilson holds no ailing will in the direction of soccer gamers, whose boxing bouts garner extra headlines in Australia than skilled boxers combating at a a lot greater commonplace.
However he is aware of which may change if he turns into world champion on Saturday.
“I’m alone journey,” he mentioned.
“I don’t do that for fame and fortune. I do that for myself and purely as a result of I really like boxing. I don’t it for that kind of publicity. As soon as I turn out to be world champion I’m certain all of that modifications.
“It’s what it’s. Some folks discuss the discuss. I’m fairly a quiet, placid fighter.”
