Wilson "can't wait" for world title fight
Published 5:00am 6 January 2023
Words by Nick Crockford
Liam Wilson is “pushing to his limits” as the countdown to his fight for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) junior lightweight title gathers pace.
The Caboolture resident will face Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete on Friday February 3 (February 4 in Australia) at Glendale, Arizona.
Wilson, from All Star Boxing Academy in Lawnton, flew to the US last month and has been joined by his Academy trainer Ben Harrington.
Both gave an insight to life and preparations at their Washington DC gym on the Facebook page of Wilson’s promoter No Limit Boxing.
The 26-year-old admitted it took a few emotional days before he got to grips with the fact that he was fighting for a world title.
“I was excited about it,” Redcliffe-born Wilson said in the No Limit Boxing post, “as a kid some on my idols have been Mexican greats.
“(I’ve) based myself in America to prepare for this fight, pushing myself to my limits. I know my boxing ability is better than his.
“He (Navarrete) is a Mexican warrior, but I believe I am an Australian warrior. I can’t wait to get in there.”
Ben Harrington, who owns All Star Boxing Academy, said it’s a hard fight which could go “either way”.
“We needed to come over early to acclimatise,” Harrington said, “we couldn’t be more grateful for the hospitality they have shown us and shown Liam.
“We’re really looking forward to showing the world what this little gym out of Brisbane can do.
“I believe in Liam. I think he’s going to shock a lot of people and will be coming home with the strap.”
Wilson has a fight record of 11 wins from 12 contests. Navarrete, who is 27 and stepping up as world featherweight champion, has 36 wins from 37 contests.
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