Liam Williams continues on his journey to a world title shot with the challenge of putting away fellow Brit, Andrew Robinson.

Queensberry: Williams vs Robinson Predictions & Results

“I will take Robinson’s heart, then come back to take his gold teeth and weigh them in to get a nice little bonus” – William Shakespeare Liam Williams.

Frank Warren is back with another criminally average card headlined by the hard-hitting Welsh middleweight, Liam Williams. At the pre-fight press conferences, Williams spent more time having to answer questions about world champions Jamie Munguia and Demetrius Andrade, rather than his opponent on Saturday night, Andrew Robinson. No doubt that Williams has prepared sufficiently for the challenge and is wholly focused on his bid for the British Middleweight title, but it speaks volumes of William’s ability and at what level he should be competing at. Williams has blasted apart his domestic rivals and continental challenges.

Adapting his style since his back to back humblings at the hands of the underrated scouser, Liam Smith, Williams has started to employ a more calculated offence. With power that has followed him through every step of his career, Williams is a threat to the entire middleweight division. A vulnerability to body shots is the clearest path to defeating Williams, but no man has yet been able to break his chin or heart and stop him legitimately. Williams opponent, Andrew Robinson, is a shrewd veteran of the game but is tasked with a monumental challenge on Saturday night. Last year Robinson secured the biggest scalp of his career. Jetting off to Poland, Robinson took the 0 from the protected Pole, Damian Jonak, in his own backyard. Robinson is thirty-six now, however, and was stopped by the relatively feather fisted Mark Heffron. Heffron, a fighter who Williams bullied for ten rounds. Of course, boxing math is not an exact science, but shared opponents give an indication of how a fight will go.

The rest of the card is so-so. A heavyweight clash between Nathan Gorman and Richard Lartey should be interesting for the first couple of rounds. Unfortunately, there will not likely be any fireworks like the Lartey/Dubois fight. Gorman will out-box the limited power puncher on the outside, and negate any threat that Dubois was willing to indulge in on the inside. Willy Hutchinson moves down to Super Middleweight for a squash match, and the rest is just prospects showcasing.

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Main Event

Middleweight (160)

British Middleweight Title

Liam Williams (22-2-1, 17KO) vs Andrew Robinson (24-4-1, 7KO)

#2 WBO and #3 WBC ranked Middleweight, Liam Williams has developed leaps and bounds since his nip and tuck affairs against Liam Smith. Since switching to Dominick Ingle a couple years ago, Williams has evolved into a monster. Jabbing with authority, Williams no longer looks to blast opponents out but instead applies a game plan. Sure, the game plan largely operates around creating openings to land the power shots, but now there is a clearer methodology behind his work. Deceptively fast feet, Williams applies front-foot pressure early and has a chin that has blown away counters. Confident in the pocket, Williams delivers punishing shots that at times can be at fault for headhunting. A five-round dismantling of Alantez Fox in his last fight, Williams looked phenomenal. Stunning Fox early with hard shots, Fox fought on heart and wobbly legs for three of the five rounds. One issue with Williams is his inability to keep his elbows tucked. Regularly taking liver shots, Williams’ lack of adjustment may be punished at the world level if he continues with such a reckless guard.

Andrew Robinson will have to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the year if he is to win this. Williams, for all can see, is destined to get his world title shot by 2021 at the latest. Robinson, however, has one foot already out of the door. Having last fought a year ago, the thirty-six-year-old has severe ring rust and a lack of top-quality experience. Williams young resume already outshines Robinson. The good news is that Robinson’s chin is very solid. The Heffron stoppage was an early intervention by the referee. A counterpuncher, Robinson is accurate and calculated, but is let down by his lack of speed. A strong guard though means he should be a nuisance for Williams during the early stages.

Predicted Result: Williams TKO Round 8

Williams is far superior in every aspect and I expect his chin will hold up against Robinson’s tame power.

Result: Williams def. Robinson // KO Round 1 1:28

Winner ✔️ // Method ❌ // Round ❌

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Co-Main Event

Super Middleweight (168)

Willy Hutchinson (12-0, 8KO) vs Jose Miguel Fandino (15-7, 8KO)

Willy Hutchinson is a fabulous boxer and could eventually be the stud prospect that Queensberry has been crying for. Fast hands and power in both hands, the flashy Scotsman has developed immensely since his debut on Dave under the promotion of David Haye. Hutchinson has remained fighting at a lowly level for an extended period. At only twenty-two it is understandable, but Fandino marks the first step up in competition. Fandino at least has a winning record. Moving down to Super Middleweight, Hutchinson will have a larger frame and reach to bully opponents. Eventually, Hutchinson will grow into a Light Heavyweight, but the move down in weight is the smart move for now.

Fandino is an alright boxer. That’s probably the kindest way to describe the Spaniard. Paid a princely sum to keel over on the return of former world champion, Sergio Martinez, Fandino didn’t exactly box to his fullest abilities. Not that there is too much to write home about anyway. An alright guard, an okay jab, etc, etc. You get the message.

Predicted Result: Hutchinson TKO Round 4

Stopped four times (once being a bit of a sham), Fandino is no stranger to the canvas. He could put up a bit of a struggle and take this into the later rounds. History tells us he will likely flop.

Result: Hutchinson def. Fandino // TKO Round 1 2:49

Winner ✔️ // Method ✔️ // Round ❌

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Main Card

Heavyweight (200+)

Nathan Gorman (16-1, 11KO) vs Richard Lartey (14-2, 11KO)

You would be forgiven for thinking Gorman would be relegated to domestic servitude to live out the rest of his career after his fifth-round capitulation to Daniel Dubois. Many others seemed to have written off the overweight, balding boxer. But Gorman is only twenty-three years old (yes, 23), had amateur experience with Team GB, and for the most part has looked comfortable in the pro ranks. More-so, Gorman fought far better in his clash with Dubois than any pundits seemed to give him credit. After losing a jabbing battle, Gorman bit down on his gumshield and tried to bring the heat in-close and test the chin of the more powerful hitter. Although Gorman was the man who ended up on the canvas, he was able to catch Dubois often with a short counter left hook. There is no questioning the heart or technical ability of the Cheshire man, but lacking power and fitness leaves his ceiling unclear.

In all honesty, Richard Lartey is pretty horrendously overrated because of Dubois’ decision to engage in a firefight with him. Lartey’s fundamentals were very average, often being beat to the jab and looking slow at distance. If Gorman is foolish enough to take the fight in-close, he could be clipped and stopped. Lartey is powerful enough to punish many heavyweights with short snappy shots in the phone booth. Aside from that, Lartey is predictable on the outside and his concrete feet will be unable to cut off the ring effectively against Gorman.

Predicted Result: Gorman Decision

Gorman isn’t the hardest hitter, but he can overwhelm many opponents with volume. Lartey is a threat at all points in a contest with the power he holds. Gorman has the smarts not to get bogged down in a firefight and instead outwork his man.

Result: Gorman def. Lartey // Decision (unanimous – 99-92, 100-90,100-90)

Winner ✔️ // Method ✔️ // Round ✔️

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Lightweight (135)

Mark Chamberlain (6-0, 4KO) vs Shaun Cooper (10-1)

Prospect Mark Chamberlain has a strong amateur background carrying him into the pro’s. Only twenty-two years old, Chamberlain won youth and senior national amateur titles with relative ease. So far in the pro ranks, Chamberlain has looked more than comfortable against the tepid journeymen he has faced. In fact, Chamberlain has adopted an aggressive style, unlike the usual Lightweight prospect meta. Seeking to destroy, Chamberlain is a strong finisher when he has his opponents on the ropes. Definitely one to keep an eye on.

Opponent Shaun Cooper is a step up from the usual journeymen Chamberlain has faced. A domestic scrapper, Cooper is a classy domestic operator. Despite punching with the power of a fart, Cooper outboxed Boy Jones on his way to a majority decision. A stoppage loss to the undefeated Jack O’Keefe may age rather gracefully if O’Keefe carries on his tear up of the British lightweight division. Cooper stays very light on his feet, launching off of his tiptoes for offence and defence. While it means he doesn’t generate much power (as he doesn’t plant his feet), Cooper benefits from being able to swiftly enter/exit the pocket sustaining little damage.

Predicted Result: Mark Chamberlain Decision

Chamberlain stops opponents early or he goes to decision. Cooper has questionable body conditioning, but Chamberlain should be just about skilled enough to claim this in the cards. Close fight.

Result: Chamberlain def. Cooper // Decision (referee’s scorecard – 80-69)

Winner ✔️ // Method ✔️ // Round ✔️

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Super Featherweight (130)

Muheeb Fazeldin (13-0-1, 4KO) vs Luke Jones (6-3-1)

Muheeb Fazeldin should probably be ramping up his competition soon. Fourteen fights into his professional career and Fazeldin remains fighting journeymen on four/six rounders. A flashy boxer who is entertaining to watch, there is no doubt Fazeldin is styling himself off of the flamboyant ring general, Prince Naz. Unfortunately, Fazeldin hasn’t shown the athletic gifts that Naz was famed for.

Luke Jones is a very minor step in the right direction. Jones is at the very least, not a can. Losses to journeymen have harmed Jones’ progression, but a majority decision loss in his most recent bout highlighted previously unseen skills. Shaving a loss to Isaac Beech Jr. for the Midlands Area title, Jones displayed a counter-punching style that could trouble Fazeldin.

Predicted Result: Fazeldin Decision

Fazeldin will have free reign over the pacing and range of the fight, and as such, will out-work Jones in the judges eyes.

Result: Jones def. Fazeldin // TKO Round 2 2:02

Winner ❌ // Method ❌ // Round ❌

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Prediction Accuracy

Queensberry: Williams vs Robinson

Winner: 4/5

Method: 3/5

Round: 2/5

2020 Boxing Season

Winner: 31/39

Method: 31/39

Round: 26/39

Takeaway comments: Gorman’s big ol titties prevailed once again.

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