Meet the boxer training at Sheffield’s legendary Ingle Gym and gunning for a world title

The 28-year-old middleweight from south Wales has been training at the legendary Ingle Gym since 2018 and is set to take on American Demetrius Andrade in Hollywood next month for the WBO middleweight belt previously held by Billy Joe Saunders.

Williams, whose record stands at 23 wins – including 18 knockouts – two losses and one draw, is on a destructive seven-fight knockout streak since losing to Liam Smith at super-welterweight level.

"It’s not just a title on the line for me, I could potentially change my life totally,” he says, speaking from the Wincobank home he shares with his bulldog Cotto – named after the Puerto Rican former four-weight world champion – a stone’s throw from the gym.

“Becoming world champion is the main objective but it’s the money I’m going to earn – it would secure some major fights.”

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He mentions the likes of WBA interim champion Chris Eubank Jr, who he previously called out, and former Ingle Gym stablemate Billy Joe Saunders as possible future bouts.

But first he must overcome the undefeated Andrade, who has knocked out 18 of his 29 opponents since turning professional.

"If you are looking for the ideal opportunity to win a world title he would be the total opposite to what you look for,” the Welshman admits.

"He’s got all the things that make it a hard fight for the likes of me but I just think I have got too much in the tank. I punch too hard, I have got too much in the engine and most of all I have got too much desire to win.”

Williams is trained by Dom Ingle, who will be in his corner on April 17. He left his former gym in Cardiff to escape unwanted distractions back in his ‘comfort zone’ and push himself harder alongside fighters aiming for glory on the world stage.

“If there was anywhere I was going to go it was to Dom,” he adds, “I knew how good he was and the respect I had for him as a trainer and as a man.

"He’s quite an intense guy. Everything he does, he does it one-hundred per cent, which is like myself. We work together very well.”

It’s a move that has so far paid off for the soon-to-be dad-of two, who dispatched his last opponent in just one round to retain the British middleweight title – a belt he vacated to focus on becoming a world champion.

"Things are working out very well and I’m happy with where I’m at, so I’ll be staying here for the foreseeable future,” he says.

Back in south Wales, Williams’ fiance Carys is expecting a baby boy in eight weeks and he has a five-year-old daughter, Myla, from a previous relationship. He usually sees them on weekends.

"Some days it’s really tough and it’s mentally draining,” Williams confesses. “I miss my little girl, I miss my missus.

“It can be very challenging but this is the life I chose and I’m pretty positive it’s going to come off.”