Davies faces his big Euro rival on major Manchester TV bill

Winning team…Liam and Dad Tristan (right)

MANCHESTER’S AO Arena is braced for a Telford invasion following news Liam Davies is set to defend his European super-bantamweight title at the venue.

Nothing has been officially announced, but Liam’s father and trainer, Tristan – currently in Tenerife training with the boxer - confirmed today the clash with number one contender Vincenzo La Femina is on for Saturday, November 18.

I also believe phenomenal Stoke ticketseller Nathan Heaney will challenge British middleweight champ Denzel Bentley on the same blockbuster Frank Warren bill.

Davies against Italy’s La Femina is a mouthwatering meeting of unbeaten fighters. Liam, fresh from a one round demolition of Jason Cunningham, has won 14, La Femina 13.

La Famina can evidently “bang”, with seven opponents stopped. But the 29-year-old has never fought outside his homeland – or faced anyone as accomplished as Liam. The 27-year-old – a product of Donnington amateur boxing club, founded by his grandfather Brian – looks something very special.

If he’s victorious against La Femina, the world awaits.

In a previous interview, Tristan told me: “Liam’s getting better every time and there’s a good five or six years ahead for him. Liam knows what he wants, the nice house, the nice car – then comes the fancy stuff.”

Davies, at 27, is, without doubt, on top of his game and, he insists, has yet to hit his peak.

He has shone in his 13 pro bouts and looked something very special in dominating Marc Leach for the Lonsdale Belt and dangerous Romanian Ionut Baluta for European honours.

Every win edges him closer to a world title shot.

But, then, Davies – a former fine amateur – was born to box. Dad Tristan had 100 amateur bouts, represented Wales and reached an ABA final before embarking on a brief pro career.

He is the ultimate local lad done good. He is adored by the Telford sporting public.

Liam told me: “I just need to focus. I don’t think much about when it (a world title shot) will come or who it will come against. Things can easily change if you take your eye off the ball. I’ll wait my opportunity.”

“I’ve come a huge way,” he acknowledged. “I remember my grandad telling me, ‘you are going to be this, that and the other’.

“At the time you think, is he just saying it? Now I realise he did see something.”

Now the whole of the UK is seeing something.