Who’s Who in 2022, Sport: Liam Wilson

A world title shot is now on the horizon for Liam Wilson, after overcoming every challenge in style this year.

Wilson, who trains at the All Star Boxing Academy, Lawnton, is ranked three by the (WBO) World Boxing Organisation, whose junior lightweight title is vacant.

The 26-year-old Redcliffe born, Caboolture raised, Griffin resident. will face unbeaten Briton Archie Sharp in Las Vegas on January 29 in a world title eliminator.

If successful, a world title fight would reward Wilson for a stunning response to last year’s shock defeat by Joe Noynay.

In March a left-hook from hell sent Noynay crashing to the canvas in the rematch and four months later Wilson outpointed world-ranked Matias Rueda.

The division was dominated by unbeaten Shakur Stevenson at that time, but the American has relinquished his crown and move up a weight.

Wilson now appears to be battling Sharp (ranked 1, unbeaten in 22 fights) and Mexico’s Oscar Valdez (ranked 3, 30 wins in 31 bouts) for the vacant crown.

George Rose, CEO of No Limit the company which promotes Wilson’s fights, said he would push for the world title bout to be in Australia.

He told Fox Sports: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Liam Wilson is going to be Australia’s next male world champion after Tim Tszyu,” Rose said.

“Liam is the most dangerous fighter in Australian boxing and the world is about to learn it for themselves.”

About Liam Wilson

Liam Wilson, 26, is one of Australia’s most highly-rated fighters having transferred an impressive amateur career into the professional ranks.

Born in Redcliffe, he grew up in Caboolture where he learned the noble art at Caboolture Boxing Club with trainer Don Tindall.

Wilson’s amateur career spanned almost 11 years during which he won 30 and lost eight (all on points or unanimous decisions) of his 38 fights.

Turning professional, Wilson started by beating New Zealand’s Ricky Curline with a first round knockout and three months later had his first championship belt.

Wilson won a unanimous decision against Brent Rice, who was unbeaten at the time, and lift the Australian Super Featherweight crown.

The IBF Youth Super Featherweight championship belt followed in 2019 and in 2020 he had knockout wins over Jesus Cuadro, from Mexico and Australia’s Jackson Woods.

Now training with Ben Harrington at the All Star Boxing Academy in Lawnton, Wilson beat fellow Australian Francis Chua on points in April last year, before the stumble from Noynay’s surprise victory in five rounds.

Wilson described it as the worst situation he had ever faced and admits once the rematch was set-up, he focussed on beating Noynay “24/7”.

It worked and the shock defeat was avenged inside two rounds, setting up the clash with Rueda.