A year after being robbed of a world title in the desert, Liam Wilson now returns to the same venue determined to make good on a promise made to his dying father.
That, and put him closer to an all-Australian blockbuster with George Kambosos.
In what shapes as a huge boxing first, 28-year-old Wilson is set to become one of three Aussies now fighting for world titles over just 24 hours in the US this weekend – joining Tim Tszyu and Michael Zerafa.
BOXING: Wilson v Valdez | SAT MAR 30 | LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
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The chance to make Australian sports history came after WBO officials finally agreed to make Wilson’s headliner against Oscar Valdez in Glendale, Arizona this Saturday for their interim super featherweight title.
The decision is in response to reigning WBO champ Emmanuel Navarrete moving up to lightweight for a title fight with Denys Berinchyk in May.
Should Navarrete win, there is a strong chance he will stay at the higher weight, meaning the winner of Saturday’s bout would then become the regular champion.
For Wilson, the news comes almost a year to the day since he was controversially beaten by Navarrete inside the same Desert Diamond Arena.
Apart from a bizarre weigh-in scandal prior to the fight, Wilson also dropped Navarrete in the fourth only to then watch the Mexican superstar be given his now infamous ’27 count’.
Elsewhere, elevating the Valdez headliner to WBO title status also gives the Queenslander another chance to make good on a promise he made to his late father Peter.
Years ago while still an amateur, and shortly before his father passed away at 52, Wilson vowed to one day win a world title for both of them.
He now has that chance again.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, the fighter dubbed Mr Damage also doubled down on his pledge to secure an all-Australian blockbuster with ‘Ferocious Kambosos’ – who is set to fight Vasyl Lomachenko for the IBF lightweight title in May.
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Should Wilson upset Valdez for the WBO strap this Saturday, he knows a host of potential opportunities now await him on the global boxing stage.
“But I really want an all-Australian showdown,” he said. “It’s something I’ve never really had yet in my career.
“Yes, I’ve fought other Aussies.
“But I’d love a big fight with a guy like Kambosos and believe it’s a fight that really makes sense.
“Especially if I beat Valdez.
“Already, Australian fans know who I am. The world knows who I am.
“But it gets bigger after I beat Valdez.”
Pushed on why he wants Kambosos specifically, Wilson continued: “George is a great fighter, a former world champion.
“So I just think the fight makes sense.
“Am happy to go to lightweight to make it happen, too.
“And I think George being a true fighter – which is something he’s shown many times in his career – it just all really makes for a great fight for the Australian public.
“Obviously a win this weekend brings a lot of other opportunities and I have to do whatever makes sense.
BOXING: Wilson v Valdez | SAT MAR 30 | LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on FOX SPORTS, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
“But I think it certainly puts me in a better position to fight George Kambosos as well.”
And as for making history alongside Tszyu and Kambosos?
“It’s a huge weekend for Australian boxing,” he agreed. “I think we’re all going to win, too.”
Wilson also heaped praise on Tszyu, who is being hailed here in the States for agreeing to fight towering southpaw Sebastian Fundora on just 12 days’ notice.
Wilson is predicting a spectacular win for ‘The Soul Taker’, saying: “He’s a different beast these days.
“He’s really shown it in his last few fights, and now I’ve seen it here in Las Vegas at the gym.
“He works so hard, is really locked in.
“I’ve always considered myself a professional but then, when I’ve watched Tim train, I’ve thought to myself ‘wow, there are some things I really want to steal from him’.
“There are things about him I actually idolize.
“He looks so sharp, and big.
“Maybe the move to middleweight isn’t far away.”
Tags: Liam Wilson Oscar Valdez interim super featherweight title fight date WBO ruling Australian George Kambosos
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