Steve Williams plans to end torrid year with British Masters light-welterweight title win

Nov 28 2012 by Philip Kirkbride, Birkenhead News

STEVE WILLIAMS plans to end a frustrating year by getting his hands on the British Masters title.

The 28-year-old ‘Wallasey Express’ takes on the undefeated Kirk Goodings at the Equestrian Centre, Aintree on Friday night aiming to win his first professional crown.

Williams had been set to challenge British light-welterweight champion Darren Hamilton on the show but the Londoner was forced to withdraw with a perforated ear drum.

The pull-out left Williams facing up to the prospect of going the entire year without having a single fight.

But Friday’s promoter, Frank Maloney, vowed to keep Williams on the show and in a title fight.

The Hamilton contest must now wait until February but in the meantime, Williams gets the chance to win the British Master belt against 7-0 Goodings.

“I’ve had a bad year and so will have to take it out on him,” Williams said with a wry smile.

“But I’ve got to stay focused and go in there and do the job on him because there is a British title fight waiting for me.

“The only things I know about Kirk Goodings are from what I can see on his record.

“But by taking this fight, I can assume that he must really fancy this. He is unbeaten and will certainly want to stay that way.

“It is not as though he is someone with losses on his record and who doesn’t mind losing. So, it should be a good fight.”

“Nothing has gone for me this year, I’ve had three fights fallen through but on the positive side, I have completed three full training camps and you do most of your learning in the gym,” he added.

“Because of this, I know I will be a better fighter.

“The big problem with the year has been that because I’ve not fought, I’ve not been earning. I haven’t got another job because I look after the kids.

“I just hope I can win the British title and start earning again.

“This fight on Friday will allow me to get some rust off and I know I’ll be better when I fight Hamilton.”

Williams has not fought since stopping Karl Place inside two rounds in a British title eliminator last December.

Fights with champions Ashley Theophane and Darren Hamilton have fallen victim to injury, illness and postponements.

Williams’ rotten luck struck once more last week when Hamilton withdrew from Friday’s fight but Goodings offers the Wallasey man the chance to show the improvements he says are there.

In July 2009, Williams was stopped in 10 rounds when challenging Lenny Daws for the British title but insists he’s a different fighter now.

“It is a while since I last watched it back but I looked terrible. I had no technique and was just marching forward.

“I was throwing single shots and the left to the body, but nothing else.

“Daws is a good fighter but I would love another shot at him.”

Williams would like to thank his sponsor www.soulmatefood.com.

lTickets for Williams’ fight, which features on the undercard of David Price’s heavyweight clash with Matt Skelton, are available from www.frankmaloney.com and from the ECHO Arena box office on 0844 8000 400.