Liam Williams - could still become a world champion?

In the first fight Williams was ahead on all the cards when Smith head-butted him, causing a cut which stopped the fight at the end of R9 . The fight should have gone to the cards.

 

If there’s a (strong) argument for Groves inevitably unravelling in the first Froch fight when ahead on the cards then I would argue that a similar thing was happening in the first Smith-Williams fight. They both had bad cuts but Williams was looking for a way out with Liam Smith really taking over.

 

I think Williams will improve like BJS with his move to the Ingles. He's sparring with 2 middleweight champs in Quigley and Saunders plus Galahad and the promising Willy Hutchinson.

 

I totally agree with that and made those points after the first fight but the second fight was a very convincing win for Smith who clearly has Williams’ number now.

 

Personally don't think Smith has Williams number at all.

Williams didn't look as bad as people at making out in the first fight. Could of easily seen him finishing the full 12.

Second fight he didn't fight well.

Smith has been in a gruelling fight against Canelo and took a battering against Munguia (sp), he's been in some wars and isn't getting any younger.

Williams is 26 and still pretty fresh, personally he'd be my value pick if they both fought again.

 

I genuinely didn’t realise he was only 26...that actually puts a slightly different spin on things. In that case I could see them scraps with Smith only making him a stronger fighter as time goes on and I agree with @Bent-nose sparring in that particular gym really suits his skill-set.

 

Williams looked flat in the second fight, but Smith only won a majority decision. Smith has lost twice since whereas Williams has moved to a gym that has churned out champions. Look at how much BJS improved after moving there.

 

Saunders’ improvement under Dom Ingle has largely been improvement to his athletic performance. Saunders has always been slick as hell. I doubt Ingle has had to add much to the technical side of his game. It’s been improvement to his fitness and the availability of world class sparring on the regular (well at least when Brook was still around) that have been the best aspects of his link up with Ingle.

Williams obviously has clearly improved his technical game having linked up with Ingle. But that comment about Smith losing twice doesn’t mean anything since he has lost to two elite fighters. Both would knock Williams the hell out IMO.

 

We saw in Smith 2 that Liam smith well got into Williams head. That should be the first thing after that fight Williams should of adressed.
Maybe he did?
Williams is a tidy boxer who could go all the way. And has been mentioned, his move to uncles makes life easier to get good sparin

 

The two divisions he’s been operating in have an abundance of talent. I just don’t see it.

 

@porkypara

 

I think the thing is he's taking the plaudits from beating Heffron convincingly but we still don't know how good Mark is.
He looked good by all accounts and that's a great for him, but there is some real talent in that divison and we have seen how much Smith has struggled at world level and he lost that fight 2nd time around. I think he might challenge for a belt if matched right but can't see him winning one.