Walks Talks

Last year saw both John Watson and Steve Williams flirt agonisingly close with the prestigious Lonsdale belt. Huyton's Watson was bravely stopped by the vastly experienced Welshman Gavin Rees, whilst the Wallasey man was withdrawn by his corner after suffering brutal lacerations against Morden Buzzsaw, Lenny Daws.

This weekend sees both proud pugilists step back into the ring as they plot their route back to title glory. Watson is handed an immediate crack at redemption as he challenges Anthony Crolla for the vacant British lightweight strap, and Williams' return is over a lesser distance as he goes up against Charlie King over eight rounds. Now a part of Dave Tonks' rapidly expanding stable of fighters, Williams is desperate to return to the forefront of domestic honours and his new coach believes he has the necessary tools to succeed there.

"Stevie's a real good kid in the gym and he pays a lot of attention to what I'm trying to teach him," spoke Tonks of his newest recruit. "He was so close to becoming British champion against Daws and all he relied on in that fight was hard work and aggression. I've been brushing his skills up and got him using feints and more jabs, I've also been concentrating a lot on his head movement too. Stevie's a real fit lad and going the distance is not a problem, I just want him to get a little sharper and work on the things that will come in useful against the better fighters."

Since relocating to Tonks' City Centre base, Williams has been enjoying regular sparring with a host of decorated names. Only last week, London's Ashley Theopane, who challenges Daws this month, was in the opposite corner to the Wirral boxer and Tonks spoke highly of their gruelling exchanges.

"The action was of the highest order," revealed Tonks. "Ashley spent two days here and the spars were really great to watch. People forget that Williams has only had a few bouts so he's still got so much to learn. I know he's fought for the British title but that opportunity was one that had to be taken and he almost pulled it off. Theopane has twice the experience of Stevie and has spent a lot of time over in the States sparring big names and pushing top prospects; for Stevie to be holding his own against him shows how much this kid has to offer."