WAGGA boxer Joe Williams has mixed up his preparation heading into the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim Oceania title fight at Cootamundra on Saturday.
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With the World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior welterweight world title and WBA Asian title already secured following his last fight against Indonesian boxer Rusmin Kie Raha in October, Williams is looking to add to his collection.
Neither of those belts are up for grabs on Saturday, but Williams has a new challenge taking on Ben Warburton.
Williams has taken some onboard some UFC influences before taking the Sydney boxer.
He believes that has added a new dimension as he continues to rise through the boxing ranks.
With help from two extra strength and conditioning coaches Paul Dallow and Dave Smith, Williams believes in peak shape for the bout.
“It’s been the best preparation we’ve had mentally and physically and we’ve had to,” Williams said.
“We’ve stepped up in the quality of opponents and starting to get into the deep end.
“This bloke has only been beaten twice and is a quality fighter.
“I’ve going to have to be at my best or otherwise I’ll be asleep.”
Warburton is coming off a rare loss before travelling to Cootamundra for the fight, but Williams is expecting him to come out swinging.
With that in mind he’s looking to ensure his defensive skills are right on target.
“He’s a big puncher so I have to be tight,” Williams said.
“Neat with my defence to make sure I’m on song as he was a quality knockout record and I need to be very careful.”
When the fight was announced no belt was attached, but after some more financial backing the WBA interim Oceania belt goes on the line.
A win would would continue Williams’ rise in the junior welterweight division.
“This is a big one," Williams said.
“This will put me in line to fight the Oceania champion which would be a top 15 in the world rankings.”
With the fight night at Cootamundra Town Hall, Williams is looking to impress the passionate boxing crowd.
“I’ve had two nights at Cootamundra in the past and they’ve been fantastic and being honest the last crowd in Wagga was down a touch so I thought I’d give Wagga a rest and go to Coota as they were screaming out for the last one,”
“I though I’d pay them back with this one.”
Williams is hoping he’ll be able to bring another fight to Wagga later in the year.
