Perfect pro debut for gold medallist Lewis

Happy Lewis and Cleary with the team. Pic: Facebook

LEWIS Williams’ pro debut on the major Resorts World show probably surpassed even his expectations.

Leamington’s Commonwealth gold medallist ended Lamah Griggs attempts to rain on his parade midway through the second of a scheduled four rounder.

And that’s good going. I’ve been ringside for Griggs’ fights and he’s game and tough. The Nottingham boxer, who has taken hard fights away from home, is much better than his record of 10 losses in 14. One of those losses was inflicted by French Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka.

He’s no body beautiful, but always comes to fight and had only suffered one inside distance defeat before facing 25-year-old Williams on Saturday. Frankly, it looked a tough baptism for the former Team GB star.

But Griggs simply lacked the pedigree to put any kind of dent in Frank Warren’s new heavyweight signing.

Williams, who at 6ft 6ins towered over his opponent, jabbed immaculately in the opening minutes and when he opened up with right hands it was goodnight, Vienna.

Griggs was wobbled in the first, dropped for seven by a short right in the second, then rightly saved after being badly staggered.

It was one-way traffic.

“I don’t think it could’ve gone better,” said manager and trainer Edwin Cleary. “I said to Lewis beforehand, ‘I just want the W (win), I’m not too bothered about the performance. But it was the complete opposite.

“He showed a fast jab, didn’t get out of first gear and showed power.

“He was 16st 2lb and somewhere between that and 17st is the weight where he’ll be. If the speeds start dropping, we’ll drop the weight.”

Lewis is set to fight again in Manchester in February and with such an outstanding amateur pedigree title opportunities may come sooner rather than later.

“He’s a champion, he’s not a lad who has had seven or eight amateur fights,” Cleary said. “But we’re in no rush. Lewis is 25 and in heavyweight terms, that’s a baby.

“How far can he go? Don’t ask me – I know what Lewis can do, he’s been with me since he was 12 and I know how good he is. Ask all the people who have DM’d him for the last six months – well known names in boxing.”

Williams, a man who has faced some of the best amateur heavyweights in the world, took the big night in his stride. He’s used to big occasions.

“It’s the same job, at the end of the day,” he said, “just a few more cameras. It’s just the start, I can’t over-judge it.”

Everyone loves a heavyweight – and there appears plenty to love about Lewis Williams.