Dad Tristan: ‘If Liam hits you right on the night you are gone!’

Former world champ Liam Davies…crunch fight in Nottingham

LIAM Davies, free from draining his long body to accommodate the super-bantamweight division, makes a fresh start against a testing opponent tomorrow (Saturday) night.

And, to a degree, the 10 rounder with Kurt Walker on Queensberry’s huge bill at the Motorsport Arena, Nottingham, is a step into the unknown. At stake is the vacant IBF international featherweight title.

We known 30-year-old Walker, from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, was a superb amateur who fought in the Olympics.

Despite peeling off 12 victories – one against Walsall’s British title challenger James Beech – we don’t know the 30-year-old’s true worth as a pro.

Donnington’s Davies, having his first fight since losing the IBO world super-bantam title to local rival Shabaz Masoud – the only loss on a superb 17 bout record – has decided to dive back in the deep end. That’s for sure.

No warm ups, no gimmes. That’s the way he - and the Donnington amateur club that produced him – rock. You’re either good enough or you’re not.

Frankly, it’s the way Donnington rocks.

“He (Walker) is good,” admitted Liam’s father and trainer Tristan, an honest, no-nonsense former fighter. “But he’s not as good as Liam as a boxer or when it comes to power. As a pro, he’s slightly behind. Win and we’re back in big fights. “

Team Davies, as they have during a career that has also reaped British and European belts, are rolling, the dice, but full of confidence.

All eyes will be on how the Telford hero responds to the loss of his cherished world title and first taste of defeat.

“Liam wants to be the best,” Tristan said from his Nottingham hotel room. “He has ticked every box from day one. We will just keep going.”

And Tristan, a former outstanding, 100 bout amateur, insists there was a compelling reason for the loss to Masoud.

“It was just the weight,” he said. “It was the weight and they (Masoud’s team) know that.”

Asked if he regretted keeping Liam at super-bantam despite his son’s body threatening to bulge out of the division, Tristan candidly replied: “It was a case of ‘keep going until the wheels fell off’ and unfortunately, they fell of against Shabaz. Sometimes in life you have to go where the money is.

“I like Shabaz, but I’m just being honest.”

I understand the argument. Before the loss, Davies Jnr was within touching distance of a global super fight which offered life-changing riches.

On Saturday, the 29-year-old begins the climb to reach those peaks at featherweight.

“If Liam is right and hits you on the night, you are out,” Tristan said. “He has moved on after the loss. Against Walker, he has the power and a lot more experience. I think it’s come too soon for Walker. If Liam wins by late stoppage or points, I’m happy.

“He has to win. Otherwise we have to start again from the bottom.”