Liam Williams Contemplates Boxing Comeback
After a significant hiatus from the boxing ring, Liam Williams is contemplating a return to competitive boxing, despite his trainer Gary Lockett‘s initial reservations. Williams, who experienced a disappointing first-round knockout by Hamzah Sheeraz in February 2024, had previously announced his retirement from the sport due to concerns about potential chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after enduring multiple concussions.
Revitalized and Ready
Recently, however, the 33-year-old has shared how he feels revitalized, declaring to BBC Sport,
“I feel like a new man.”
Williams expressed his desire for more bouts, stating,
“In a couple of years, I wouldn’t want to look back and regret not having fought again.”
Despite his enthusiasm, Lockett seemed less supportive at first. Following the tough loss to Sheeraz, where Williams was knocked down twice before the referee stepped in, Lockett suggested that his fighter might want to retire, agreeing with Williams’ own feelings of being finished in the sport.
Concerns for Well-Being
Their bond remained strong, yet when Williams approached Lockett in Cardiff this year to return to training, he was met with apprehension. Williams recounted,
“Gary said he wasn’t really interested in training me,”
noting Lockett’s deep concern for his well-being. Lockett’s caution is rooted in his own experiences, having witnessed the serious repercussions of the sport firsthand while cornering Nick Blackwell, who suffered a severe brain injury during a fight in 2016.
Lockett advised Williams to leave the sport behind, emphasizing his successful past and overall well-being:
“You’ve had a great career and nothing left to prove, you can stay happily retired.”
However, Williams felt a pull to return to the ring, admitting to a sense of emptiness:
“Life is great for a bit, but soon it feels like ‘is this it?'”
Having been in the sport from the age of nine, he believes boxing is his true identity.
Proving Readiness
To persuade Lockett of his readiness, Williams proposed to spar with some of the best talents at the gym, including renowned fighters like Joe Cordina and Gavin Gwynne. Surprising himself, he found that he could still hold his own in the ring without being knocked out, stating,
“Things went very well, no one took my head off.”
Currently, Williams sports a record of 25 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw, with twenty victories earned by knockout.
Addressing Past Injuries
Reflecting on his past injuries, Williams noted the troubling development of concussions during his career, including a particularly alarming episode that occurred just before his fight with Eubank Jr, where he was dropped multiple times. He recognized the risks involved, saying,
“If you go and have another concussion you can drop dead,”
acknowledging that taking the fight was perhaps an impulsive move.
Aiming for a Comeback
While previously struggling with weight management—often cutting significant pounds shortly before weigh-ins—Williams is now aiming for a comeback in the super-middleweight class, eight pounds above his last competitive weight. Although his history with CTE continues to linger in his mind, he conveys a sense of stability now, stating,
“I feel much healthier than I did back then”
following multiple brain scans clearing him of any significant issues.
Looking Ahead
With his mindset significantly improved since his last fight, Williams remarks that he’s ready to resume training with Lockett, who has recently endorsed his readiness, indicating positive developments in their relationship. Williams optimistically states that he is eager to announce his return to the ring, focusing on achieving significant fights rather than just a long-term comeback:
“Winning a world title would be the ultimate goal, but I’m taking this one fight at a time.”
He expresses the desire to prove his critics wrong and show that he still has a lot left to contribute to the sport.
