Liam facing "slick" challenge

There will be no summer holiday for Liam Wilson at All Star Boxing Academy - just hard work for his next fight and a possible shot at the world title.

Wilson, who was born in Redcliffe, lives at Caboolture and trains in Lawnton, is already counting down to his first challenge of 2026.

On Friday, January 16 he steps back into the ring at Brisbane Entertainment Centre to face Rodex Piala, from the Philippines.

It is on the undercard to the highly-anticipated Nikita Tszyu v Michael Zerafa clash for the WBO International Middleweight crown.

Wilson has won his last four fights and moved up to three in the WBO junior lightweight rankings … close to a world title shot.

Once champion Emanuel Navarrete and number one challenger Charley Suarez have had a rematch, ordered by the WBO, Wilson may be next in line.

However, the 29-year-old must beat Piala, 30, described as a “slick fighter” who has won 12 of 13 professional fights, but never fought in Australia.

Wilson has 17 wins from 20 bouts and said on social media: “Save the date we’re back in Brisbane. Time to get back to work, doing what I do best.”

This fight comes seven weeks after he stopped Jorge Santana with a “left hook from hell” and announced: “I want George Kambosos.

“I’m a proud Australian. So why wouldn’t you want to make an all-Australian showdown?”

No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose had “no problem with that” and promptly backed Wilson, who is part of the stable, to win.

Ex-world champion Kambosos won his first 20 bouts but has since lost four of six, including for the IBF world super lightweight crown.