Adonis Stevenson believes he is getting better with age as he prepares to defend his WBC world light-heavyweight title against Thomas Williams Jr.

The 38-year-old Haiti-born Canadian will be making the seventh defence of his belt in Quebec City on July 29, having been out of the ring for 10 months since stopping Tommy Karpency in the third round last September.

But Stevenson (27-1, 22KOs) insists the lay-off will not be a problem.

"I am very happy to return to the ring on July 29 in Quebec," said Stevenson, who stopped the current WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew inside six rounds back in November 2013.

"I will demonstrate that like fine wine, I am even better with age. Even though I haven't boxed in 10 months, I've never left the gym and I'm willing and ready to defend my crown."

Southpaw Williams Jr (20-1, 14KOs) is 10 years younger than the champion and comes into the fight on the back of stopping Edwin Rodriguez inside two rounds in April.

It was his third straight win since suffering his first career defeat, a fifth round retirement against Gabriel Campillo in August 2014 for the WBO NABO title.

"There were many people who had lost trust in me two years ago after my loss, but here I am" said Williams Jr.

"There were circumstances that led to that result, but I don't make excuses and that is in the past. I'm coming off of the best performance of my career and I'm ready to hold that belt on July 29.

"Stevenson has never faced a puncher like me."