Gould spars the best as big night beckons

Gould unloads against Dwain Grant. Pic: MSN Images/Manjit Narotra

LIAM Gould has mixed it with the best as he prepares for the biggest test of his fledgling, six bout career.

On Friday, April 12, he faces Northampton’s Ben Vaughan for the vacant Midlands welter title.

And the Coseley 25-year-old has certainly secured top class sparring in readiness for his big night on BCB’s stacked show at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham.

When I spoke to him, he’d recently sparred European middleweight champ Tyler Denny. Former outstanding amateur Elliott Whale – now a hot pro prospect – has also shared the gym ring with Liam.

Add to the list unbeaten Connor Goodchild and Hamza Azeem.

What’s more, the Black Country hope has gained time off from his job as a factory pipe-fitter to concentrate on the title fight.

The 10-rounder is a big step up for Liam, who has yet to go beyond five rounds. He’ll probably start underdog over 24-year-old Vaughan who has won eight on the spin and travelled six rounds on three occasions.

I was ringside at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham, last October when Vaughan overwhelmed Jimmy Cooper in four with incessant body attacks. He looked a handful against a man who had lost only one of 12.

“I haven’t watched too much of him,” said Liam. “He’s a decent lad, he’s very busy, but I’ve trained hard and I’m confident.

“I’m full of confidence – this is something I’ve been asking for for months. I’ve had the time out (from work) to really train for this fight.”

And Liam’s confidence will have been boosted by his last performance. After a string of four round points wins, Gould found the heavy ammo to register his first stoppage.

Shane Smith was blitzed in the fifth of Liam’s first scheduled six rounder.

“The fights I’ve had against journeymen, they come to cover-up,” Liam said. “When I’m in there with someone who wants to win, you’ll see the best of me. My last opponent gave it a go and you saw what happened. When I let my shots go, I can hurt people.”

Liam had around 30 amateur bouts for Tipton’s William Perry Club, winning two Midlands titles. At around 16, he stepped away from the sport, had five years off, then returned for a season before turning pro.

He is trained by uncle Jimmy Gould at his Gymmies Fitness and Boxing gym in Tipton.

“I always believed my style was better suited to the pro game,” Liam said. “And I think I’ll do well over longer distances – I grow into fights.

“This is a 50-50 fights, it’s going to be good for the spectators.”

Liam refuses to make bold predictions about how far his career will take him, but burns with self-belief when talking about the battle with Vaughan.

He added: “When I win the belt, it’s the first rung on the ladder.”