It’s time for Blues to honour champ Matt

Winning team…Gavin McCracken and Storer with champ Williams

A REQUEST to Birmingham City football club – let heavyweight Matty Williams, a huge Blues fan, walk the pitch before the season’s end.

Let the 20-year-old, a diehard fan, realise that dream after becoming this country’s elite amateur super-heavyweight champ.

Today, the former council grass cutter gained what many considered inevitable victory in the national finals. At Derby Arena, Williams showed he had a boxing brain to go with the power and stamina that has made him one to watch.

He was both measured and marauding. In gaining a unanimous decision over Yorkshireman Joshua Simms, Williams underlined what many insiders – both pro and amateur – have been saying for some time. After a very long wait, the Second City has a special heavyweight in Matt Williams.

Respected pro manager and trainer Max McCracken, who is guiding and advising the Acocks Green ABC boxer, said: “He faced a very good lad, but there was only one winner. Matt had to be focused, he had to show real discipline. Simms was very talented, tough and fit.

“There were a couple of times in the fight where I thought Joshua Simms could have been giving a count. Matty was snapping his head back with sharp accurate combinations.”

Williams will now box for England on May 30 – and a Team GB call-up can surely not be far away.

After that, Matty and the top team around him – Acocks Green ABC boss Craig Storer, McCracken and former world amateur champ Frankie Gavin – have food for thought. Do they wait for Williams to establish himself in top GB international tournaments or do they present him to the pro ranks while the lad is on top of his game.

Having interviewed Williams, I know he wants to join the paid code. And there’s no shortage of top promoters who would like to sign a fighter with an unbelievable engine, exciting style and granite jaw.

What’s more, he has a Blues army behind him. “The Blues following has been brilliant,” McCracken said. “They are always asking about when he is going to go pro. Once you see him fight, you want to see him again.

“He has a great boxing IQ, against Simms he showed he can box and move, he is really exciting.”

Birmingham City fans are celebrating their team becoming division one champions.

It’s time to officially celebrate one of their own becoming this country’s amateur heavyweight king – a title won by pro world champs Frank Bruno and Anthony Joshua.