Australian super featherweight Liam Wilson 11-1 (7) will get the chance to make his lifelong dream a reality when he takes on former two-weight world champion Emanuel Navarrete 36-1 (30) for the vacant WBO 130-pound title at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Friday night.
The 26-year-old from Caboolture in Queensland may be largely unknown outside of his native country, but he has developed a solid fanbase at home with his explosive displays of power boxing.
The step up in class came sooner than expected for Wilson, who stepped up to the plate to replace Navarrete’s original opponent and fellow former two-weight world champion Oscar Valdez 30-1 (23).
But the confident Aussie has dismissed claims the opportunity has come along too early in his young career, explaining why he believes he will leave the ring wearing the green and gold belt.
“Because I’ve already dropped a few other opponents who had also never been knocked out before,” Wilson said to Fox Sports Australia. “So now Navarrete can be added to that list.
“I’m coming to win and I’m coming to knock him out.
“I know I’ll be fighting in a hostile territory, fighting in an arena where there is going to be a heap of Mexicans fans.
“But on my mind will be only two things. One, to box. And the other, when I do box, to hit fucking hard.”
One of Wilson’s countryman who also claimed world championship honours early on in his career is backing him to get the job done despite opening the betting at double figures when the fight was announced, with some bookmakers offering as much as $18 for a Wilson win.
“Oh, I think the bookies are making a huge mistake with this one,” former three division world champion and International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Fenech said.
“I’m actually shocked by the odds. And I honestly believe there’s a heap of money to be made on Liam Wilson this weekend. Because not only do I think he becomes Australia’s newest world champion, but he gets there by knockout.”
Fenech holds Wilson in high esteem, ranking him right up there with the best pugs from down under right now.
“Obviously Navarrete is a great fighter, but so is Liam,” Fenech said. “He’s actually one of the best young talents I’ve seen come out of Australian boxing in a long, long time.
“A guy who, I believe, is right up there with Tim Tszyu. Mightn’t have the same profile just yet. But Liam’s left hook, it’s as good as any I’ve ever seen.
“And with Navarrete now coming up to his third weight division against such a big, strong guy… mate, when Liam hits Navarrete to the body, I can tell you the bloke’s never going to have been hit like it before.
“And that’s why I’m confident Australia has another new world champion this weekend.”
