Throughout the course of his 17-fight professional career, it’s fair to say that Liam Wilson (14-3, 8 KOs) has not been one to shy away from digging deep in the trenches and waging war with the combatant standing across from him.
Just looking at the names on his record conjures up thoughts of a gruesome nature: Matias Rueda, Emanuel Navarrete, Jackson Jon England and Oscar Valdez. If one is to cast their mind back to Wilson’s clashes with these men, they are taking a trip down a blood-soaked memory lane where brutality awaits all those who enter. After all, the moniker of “Mr. Damage” isn’t exactly bestowed upon a fighter known for putting their defensive responsibilities first.
The Queenslander believes there is a misconception about him, however, and that those who only think of him in such a manner neglect to recognize a crucial element of his game. That there are genuine boxing skills and fundamentals that belie the warrior spirit displayed on fight night.
As Wilson readies himself for a showdown with Youssef Dib (21-2, 11 KOs) in Brisbane on March 1, an immediate rematch from his dogged eighth-round knockout win in July of last year, he has his sights set on reminding onlookers of his world-class abilities. Feeling that the previous performance gave rise to several naysayers ready to typecast him simply as a tough Aussie slugger, the 28-year-old has a keen desire to make a different impression this time around.
“I feel like I’m the best boxer in Australia; Australia just hasn’t seen it yet,” Wilson told FightsATW. “They think they can win; I think I can do a better job. I truly believe I underperformed; he over-performed.
“I did get the knockout, but I have to come back and win at all costs, whether that be boxing or knockout. I just want to show I can come back a better version of myself and display that come fight night.”
Resurging resiliently in a fashion that refreshes the memories of fight fans is a concept not foreign to Wilson, who has had his share of lows from the fight game. The greatest example of this being the heartbreaking knockout losses in a pair of WBO super featherweight title attempts and the will to rebuild in their aftermath.
Earlier still, the two-fight series with Filipino Joe Noynay proved a strong psychological challenge to overcome. More than just an attempt to bounce back, the All-Star Boxing product had to face the man who had knocked him out in his last contest. In the eight months between bouts, Wilson was forced to confront the fact that he had been emphatically beaten, a harrowing experience he knows is full of not only self-doubt but that of the boxing public too.
Now, he finds himself on the opposite side of the equation, with Dib the one who has to find the answers. While skeptical of whether the 32-year-old younger brother of former world champion Billy can make the adjustments required, Wilson is still approaching the fight with caution. After all, he’s walked the same path before and remembers the fire it ignited within.
“I’ve been in his position before where I’ve had to come back from a knockout loss, and it’s hard,” he said. “I know it takes someone special to do that. We’ll see come fight night if he can do that. I don’t think he’s that sort of person who can. I know what I went through; I know how hard and daunting it was. When I look in Youssef’s eyes, the type of person he is, I don’t think he has it in him.
“I’m not doubting him because I feel like I’m fighting a version of myself once upon a time, a guy who is coming back for a rematch straight after a knockout loss. I’m preparing for a hungry, determined, once-upon-a-time version of myself. I know he probably thinks he’s preparing well or more than me, but he’s got it wrong.
“I’m preparing for something that I’ve been through.”
Though the rematch element has helped to create a laser-like focus, it probably would not have mattered who the trusted team at Fight Life Management and promoter No Limit Boxing had lined up. With the opportunity to headline in his hometown of Brisbane, Wilson believes he is ready to make a statement and prove to any doubters that he belongs among the world’s best.
“It’s going to be unreal. The fact that it’s in Brisbane has made me all that more excited,” Wilson finished. “I’ve spent a lot of my career fighting abroad, whether it be overseas, into (opponent’s) backyards, down to New South Wales countless times. The first fight was in his backyard. So I’m looking forward to bringing them out of their comfort zone, up to Brisbane, my hometown, to see how well he performs under pressure.
“I can’t wait to light up Brisbane on March 1st.”
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