What a win as Matty beats world champ!

Williams has his hand raised after stunning Olaniyan victory

I HATE to jinx things, but believe Birmingham has something special in super-heavy Matty Williams.

Max McCracken, pro coach at Matty’s Acocks Green ABC, has been telling me that for over a year. I’m rapidly becoming a believer.

That’s not merely a hunch. Yesterday (Friday) the 20-year-old super-heavy – and among the very big men, that’s a mere baby – Williams outpointed World Youth Champion – that’s right, WORLD champ – Adam Olaniyan in Belfast as part of an England v Ireland tournament staged in Belfast.

What’s more, he took the fight at only days’ notice.

Having grabbed all the domestic honours going and now part of Team GB, former council grass cutter Williams, a die-hard Birmingham City fan, can let his lawn-mower rust. A glittering ring future lies ahead.

I’ll leave McCracken to give a report on the memorable win over Olaniyan:

“We only got the call on Tuesday, so it shows the quality Matty has to go and beat a real touted talent in Olaniyan at three days’ notice.

“It’s a massive statement. I know Olaniyan is being closely watched by all the top promoters as a real future star.

“Olaniyan took the first round behind his jab. In the second and third, Matty got inside Olaniyan’s jab and closed the distance, going through the gears and out-working him. He landed some big combinations to win both rounds two and three. Olaniyan was holding on, trying to stop Matty working and a point was taken off him for holding.

“Matty was breaking him down on the inside and at the end Olaniyan was glad to hear the final bell, Matty winning 3-2 on the judges’ cards.

“A brilliant result, beating Olaniyan in his own country. This gives him great momentum before he goes to the Tammer tournament in Finland on October 29.”

That is a big win. Williams, who possesses a phenomenal engine for a big man, has his sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

If he continues in this form, if he continues with this degree of dedication, would you bet against him coming back to Birmingham with a medal?