Heavyweight Matty’s a national champion
Matty Williams…gained his second NABGC title in Essex
MATTY Williams – the Acocks Green ABC heavy who’s whipped up a storm – is a national amateur champ for the second year in a row.
In Witham, Essex, on Thursday, the 20-year-old staunch Birmingham City fan claimed the NABGC crown in quick time.
Connor McCann, from Giffach Goch ABC in Swansea, was stopped in two minutes – and in that time he received two standing counts. The Welshman was game, but wilted under a blizzard of punches.
For a big man, Williams has a quite phenomenal work rate.
The former council grass cutter has now lost only seven of 32 and is being tipped for big things. He’s beaten big names including current elite super-heavyweight champ Derrick Osadolor and Leamington top talent Big Joe Bourne. He’s sparred such top pros as Solomon Dacres, Joe Joyce and Hughie Fury.
Former pro trainer and manager Max McCracken – an admirer of the 6ft 4ins, 17 stone ring tornado – told me Williams was something special. At this stage, he appears correct.
Matty said: “Connor was pretty muscular and tough and tried to fight it out with me.
“Now it’s a matter of ticking over until the national (elite) amateur championships in March.”
Matty, who spent a year-and-a-half in the army before getting a Civvy Street job with Birmingham Council, wants to turn pro, but is in no rush.
“I’d love to do it because when you think about boxing, you think about the professionals,” he said.
“But I’ve got to get the experience and there are still things to achieve. I’d love to represent my country, but you have to get the call-up.”
He added: “I’m a volume puncher and my dad says my style is like Dave ‘Boy’ Green, but I haven’t see a lot of him.”
Green, active during my time with trade magazine Boxing News, was an all-action light-welter and welter who featured in thrilling fights during the late 1970s and early 80s. He fought Carlos Palomino and Sugar Ray Leonard for world titles.
Time will tell if the former Lawnmower Man from Marston Green can make the cut and reach those dizzy heights.