Williams cruises to his second pro win

Lewis Williams with manager and trainer Edwin Cleary

HEAVYWEIGHT hope Lewis Williams succumbed to a virus in the days before his second professional fight.

His opponent succumbed to a boxing lesson.

At Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, on a bill topped by Derek Chisora, the former Commonwealth Games gold medallist dominated tough Cristian Awaka. It was a text book display, with Leamington’s Lewis dictating behind a textbook jab.

The 26-year-old – a towering 6ft 7ins tall – won every minute of every session of the four rounder. Portsmouth’s Awaka, with only one win in six, came to fight, but lacked the skill and speed to trouble Queensberry-backed Williams.

“He boxed really, really well,” said manager Edwin Cleary. “Ten days out, he was ill, but, with who he was boxing, I thought we’d take the risk.  The lad (Awaka) was 39, but in tremendous condition.

“At ringside, I could see Lewis was breathing heavy, I was looking at him to make sure he didn’t switch off and he didn’t. On TV, he looked tremendous. He had more weight in his shots. He was 16st 6lbs for this one, yet weighed 14st 2lbs as an amateur. Looking at him, I think he can get another half-a-stone on his top half, but we will be gauged by his speed.”

Williams certainly impressed promoter Frank Warren.

“Frank was over the moon,” Cleary said. “He said he wants to have a good chat with Lewis in his office about the future.

“I was really chuffed. The one thing with Lewis is he trains too hard, but that’s a great problem to have.

“I don’t think there’s a faster heavyweight currently, he has great feet. I think we went through every left jab possibly known to man. Frank Warren said that’s what you need to be a great heavyweight.”

Cleary added: “Look at the heavyweight scene – it’s massive, it’s going to be so exciting. Boxing is on the tip of everybody’s tongue.”

Williams – one of the brightest prospects out there – looks set to take part in his first six rounder in May.