Teen Lewis gets taste of big time action with champ AJ
LEAMINGTON teenager Lewis Williams has shared a ring with heavyweight hero Anthony Joshua.
Williams has been added to the Great Britain Podium Potential squad and during his first week training at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield he squared up to the IBF and WBA Super heavyweight champion.
Joshua is in the gym preparing to defend his belts against Kubrat Pulev at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday, October 28 – and Williams had what he described as “a four-round technical spar” with him.
“It wasn’t a full on spar,” said the 18-year-old.
“He is 113kgs and I was 89kgs and we were just tapping each other, but I could still feel the weight behind his punches. It gave me an idea of where I want to be. We are building up to a proper spar.”
Great Britain head coach Robert McCracken oversaw the spar and Williams said: “He was telling us what punches to throw.
“He would say: ‘Leftright, then left hook,’ but he didn’t say if the left hook was to the body or the head, so you had to read it and block it.”
Williams is currently on a three-month trial in Sheffield before he begins his Great Britain contract, but given the way he finished last season, he seems certain to keep his contract. He climbed up to No 2 in the English rankings after striking gold at the Haringey Box Cup at Alexandra Palace, where he was named Boxer of the Tournament. Williams outpointed Natty Ngwenga in the last four there – and they meet again at the Real Tennis Club in Leamington Spa on Saturday, November 4. This will be the rubber match after one win apiece and Williams said: “It’s going to be hard for me to get club bouts on local shows in the future and I hope the Leamington people get behind me.
“I believe I’ve beaten Natty twice before, but he is skilful and strong and I learn from fighting him.”
Tickets for the show are available from 07581 506820. COVENTRY’S Jordan Cooke got his career moving again with a points win at Villa Park. The 23-year-old southpaw dominated Fonz Alexander over four rounds, winning every session on the referee’s scorecard. Cooke had been out of action since a disputed points loss to Henry Janes in February and was pleased with the 10th win of his 12-fight career.
“I heard (trainer) Jon Pegg say about a minute into the fight: ‘Jordan looks sharp’ – and I did feel sharp,” he said. “The jab was sharp and I wobbled him a few times.
“I didn’t have the second and third phase, but overall I was happy and Fonz told me afterwards I was one of the best lads he’s fought.”
Cooke was offered a fight with ex-Southern Area champion Philip Bowes later this month, but instead, he fights over four rounds in Corby on Friday, November 3.
He said: “I do fancy the Bowes fight, I fancy I can outbox him and it would be a good scalp, but ‘Soggy’ (coach Paul Counihan) wants me to have another fight before I jump up again and that’s the sensible thing to do.
“I’m only 23, so time is on my side and if it doesn’t go to plan against Bowes, I will be back at square one.
“The smart thing to do is not to rush.
“The fight in Corby will be a step up and I want to look good and then go for titles again.
“I’ve had a couple of setbacks in my career and now I have to prove myself against good-calibre opponents.”
Tickets for the show in Corby are available from 07794 114618.
I could still feel the weight behind his punches. We are building up to a proper spar Lewis Williams, on sharing the ring with Anthony Joshua