Lenny Daws v Steve Williams
“Lightning” Lenny Daws will be looking to weather a storm from Steve Williams tonight, as he defends his British light-welterweight title at York Hall.
The British champion goes into this fight having narrowly avoided a surprise defeat to Jason Cook in his last bout which eventually ended as a draw. Cook started of the aggressor and Daws looked in real trouble early on, but Lightning Lenny brought the thunder and ground out a stalemate to maintain his belt.
You know what you get with Daws; a well-rounded pugilist who enjoys fighting on the front foot and taking fights to his opponents. Unfortunately for the Londoner this can leave him susceptible to counters as Cook demonstrated, while Lightning Lenny can often also be lacking a plan B when he can’t find a way through with his intense work rate.
Still fight fans love to see aggressive fighters who go forward and Daws certainly will do that. As for Williams he comes into this fight sporting an undefeated record of nine wins and three KO’s.
Williams knows what he wants to achieve and despite coming into this the underdog he has high expectations as he told his local paper: “This is a make or break fight for me. If I can’t win the British title now then I’ll know I won’t make a good living from boxing.”
Brave words indeed from the newcomer.
Williams also likes to fight on the front foot and put on a determined and gritty show, like he did in his last outing against Michael Grant over the course of 10 rounds. He won that with a fairly wide point’s victory on the cards and secured the English belt which enabled him to get his shot at the Lonsdale strap.
It’s a big step for the Merseysider who has come a long way fast, still it’s nice to see some ambition in boxing and a relatively fresh 26-year old looking for big fights and the big occasions fearlessly so early in his career.
This could be a proper toe-to-toe battle that goes back and forth. Both fighters will dig deep and pull out a determined performance if need be and the winner maybe the fighter with the most heart.
However if Williams lets lightning strike twice it could be a comfortable night’s work for Daws.
Prediction: Lenny Daws KO in the final third
This should be a pretty even scrap from two well-matched fighters. As the more experienced man you have to favour Daws who has been around for a few years now.
Both boxers will be looking to take up court in the centre of the ring, which could lead to some gruelling infighting. Each of these competitors is tenacious, but providing he covers-up enough you would favour Daws to come off the better in a tough battle.
Lightning Lenny may not have a phenomenal knockout record, but he might capitalise on Williams’ will to step up so soon. The scouser has never gone 10 rounds before and this is a tough bout to start doing that, so expect him to tire as the fight wares on and Daws to capitalise and take home the Lonsdale belt.
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