Words by Nick Crockford
Liam Wilson, pictured above, wants to “put on a show for the world” when he faces former world champion Oscar Valdez in the Arizona desert on March 29.
Wilson – who was born in Redcliffe, lives at Caboolture and trains in Lawnton – is more than halfway through his training camp in Las Vegas.
Based at the All Star Boxing Academy, the 27-year-old will move to Glendale, Arizona, for the 10-round junior lightweight showdown with Valdez.
It is at the same Desert Diamond Arena where Wilson was controversially beaten by Emanuel Navarrete 13 months ago, when a 27-second count saved the Mexican in round four.
Questions started at the weigh-in, with Wilson's camp claiming the scales suggesting he'd lost pounds in 30 minutes. Navarrete was right on the mark.
Then a left hook floored Navarrete, who stood up and lost his mouthguard gaining extra precious seconds to recover. He stopped Wilson in round nine.
However, returning to the same venue holds no fears for Wilson who told the DStyleBoxing podcast on YouTube: “I wouldn’t have it any other way.
"I’m excited for this fight and put on a show for the world. I’m very happy with the sparring here. It couldn’t be better.
“I am expected a very game, tough Valdez. (He’s) coming off a loss and to prove to the boxing community he still has it. This could be one to remember.”
Valdez, who is 33, has 31 wins, two defeats and world titles at two weights from 33 pro fights. Wilson, 28 this month, has 13 wins and two defeats from 15 fights.
His manager Glen Jennings said on the same DStyleBoxing podcast, Wilson “looks like the boy next door, (but) I can assure he is not.
“Liam has now matured, even under duress he keeps his composure. There’s a heart, desire and engine which will shock a lot of people.
“When the bell goes, he’s out to destroy, not just win.”
Wilson is training in the same gym, but different times, as fellow Australian Tim Tszyu, who has a world title fight against Keith Thurman in Las Vegas on March 30.
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