Liam Williams pulled out in heartbreaking fashion for the Welshman who was doing so well against Liam Smith.
After a controversial situation with one of tonight’s combatants failing to make the weight yesterday the fight delivered in spadefuls in the ring tonight.
Liam Smith was involved in controversy after failing to make the weight on two occasions on Friday’s weigh-ins and offered this explanation to fans on why he missed it.
A few weeks back Smith had taken a four round warm up in Barcelona that was a low key affair in a bid to shake off any ring rust ahead of tonight’s fight with Liam Williams.
The vacant WBO interim super-welterweight title was on the line for only Williams tonight after Smith failing to make the weight.
The British Boxing Writers young boxer of the year for 2016 Liam Williams took full advantage of the opportunity tonight, but alas, it just wasn’t meant to be for him.
Liam ‘Beefy’ Smith was a strong favorite coming in but our own Peter Wells did warn that Williams might surprise a few tonight.
Williams started off round 1 positively behind a strong jab, utilizing some good footwork.
Liam Smith started to come forward a bit more in the second but was having problems closing the distance against Williams who was proving evasive.
Although Smith landed a decent overhand right towards the end of the round.
Welshman Liam Williams put on some quality boxing in round 3. Hand speed galore and boxing well – both at mid and long range.
Liverpool native Smith started moving forward a bit more in the fourth but was met with some stiff right hands from Williams.
Williams really seemed to be finding his groove in the 5th, noticeably sharper than Smith at this point. His ability to box on the front and back foot and shift in between was a joy to watch at times.
Smith came back at Williams in the 6th in what was a competitive round.
The 7th round saw Smith need to consult the ringside doctor to get advise on a nasty cut above the eye, as the Liverpool man looked like he was now boxing on borrowed time.
The 8th was a close one but the cleaner and crisping blows came from Williams in my opinion.
Smith started to have more success in the 9th however, seeming to come on a bit stronger as Williams looked like he was feeling the pace a little bit.
Williams developed a nasty gash across the right eye it emerged at the end of the round due to a clash of heads. A horrendous cut.
It was a cut that proved to be the end as Liam Williams got pulled out by his trainer Gary Lockett controversially before he could start the next round.
A rematch has to happen surely. What a fight tonight. Here’s the cut:
