STEVE WILLIAMS won’t believe his British light-welterweight title challenge against Darren Hamilton is finally taking place until he sees him in the opposing corner.

 

Their fight has been shelved twice and is now scheduled to go ahead on Frank Maloney’s big bill at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Saturday 23rd February.

 

The battle of the ten stone tough guys forms part of the undercard when David Price (15-0) boxes American double world title challenger Tony Thompson (36-3).

Scouser Williams (13-1) warmed up for his big night by outpointing Kirk Goodings in November.

Promoter Frank Maloney says: “The fight was delayed in October and in November Darren was injured and had to withdraw.

“That told me a lot about Steve’s make-up because he still took the fight against Goodings knowing a defeat would cost him this British title challenge.

“He could have refused to fight and sat out to wait, but he is a man who wants to stay busy.”

Bristol’s Hamilton (12-2) hasn’t boxed since last May when he outpointed Ashley Theophane in a stunning upset to become British champion.

Maloney added: “It is a real pick ‘em fight on a top class card, but I think Williams could win because of Darren’s inactivity.

“Few expected Darren to defeat Theophane and he will want to prove to everybody that he is not a one night wonder.”

Adil Anwar (18-1) who hopes to challenge the winner also boxes and Maloney hopes he will be involved in the fourth 12 rounder on the bill.

Another British title defence on the bill sees Kevin Satchell (9-0) makes the first defence of his flyweight title against Luke Wilton (13-2-1).

Others boxers on the bill include David Burke (26-2), Paul Edwards (9-2), Sean Dodd (4-0), Louis Cuddy (6-0), Neil Perkins (2-0), Steven Lewis (2-0), Andy Colquhoun (5-0) and Peter Gallagher (1-0).

Tickets can be purchased £230 (VIP including meal and inner ringside seat), £95 (Ringside), £70 and £40 at http://www.echoarena.com/ http://www.frankmaloney.com/ or 0844 8000 400.

The show will be broadcast live by the home of boxing BoxNation (Sky 437/Virgin 546). Join now at http://www.boxnation.com/ . WealthTV will be broadcasting the card live in the United States.