UK Boxing: Liam Williams; Sam Maxwell; Mace Ruegg

By Boxing News - 02/01/2019 - Comments

Two-weight British champion Liam Williams warns challenger Joe Mullender his come-forward style will be his downfall at the Royal Albert Hall on March 8.

The Welshman (19-2-1-KO14), who outclassed and stopped the heavy-handed Mark Heffron to seize the middleweight crown in December, takes on former English champion Mullender (11-2-KO5) live on BT Sport.

Williams said: “Mullender ploughs forward with little consideration for what’s coming back but Lee Markham is the best he’s faced and he’s not really a puncher.

“The thing about pressure fighters is they try to put it on you but once they start getting hit hard for a few rounds, they don’t want to be pressure fighters any more. All they can think about is how they can avoid getting punched in the nose so hard.

“I’ll be ready for war and he will be ready for war too so the real winners are the fans. They’re in for an excitement spectacle.

“A lot of people have told me Joe’s a good guy and a laugh. He seems sound so I’m not going to try and talk rubbish. He’s not talking rubbish to me so I’ll show him respect.”

Joining Williams on a glitzy card is MTK Global team-mate Archie Sharp, who defends his WBO European super-featherweight crown against Lucas Ballingall.

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Unbeaten former Team GB star Sam Maxwell has begun calling out big names but will ultimately let his talent carry him to fame.

The popular super-lightweight (10-0-KO8) is ready to send another message to his targets when he fights in Leicester on February 23 – live on BT Sport.

Maxwell said: “I’ve been quiet for two years and I don’t think I’ve got the notice I deserve. I think I’m talented and I’m trying to get my name out there more.

“None of these names are out of my reach. I might as well start building interest in these fights now because they’re fights I’m going to be in soon.

“By the end of the year, the likes of Ohara Davies will stand up take notice. He also knows I’m a top talent so I think that until I can offer him something, I think he’ll avoid me.

“All I’m lacking is that step-up test to show what I’m about. I know my ability and I’m ready for any names. I’d be more than confident that I beat all the top domestic names.

“I just want to be in big fights. Hopefully 2019 holds them for me.”

Maxwell, who fought Vasyl Lomachenko several times in the amateurs, became only the second man to stop 81-fight Jamie Quinn when he was last seen back in December.

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MTK Global is proud to announce the signing of talented featherweight Mace Ruegg as he turns professional.

The Bournemouth teenager began in Thai boxing and went on to wow crowds in the Queensbury Boxing League, where he won the Regional Title, and is determined to make his mark swiftly in the paid ranks.

Ruegg said: “I can’t put into words how I feel. To get an opportunity like this with MTK Global is amazing. I’m here to win and I want people to go away from my fights talking about me.

“This is the entertainment business. It’s how I express myself – having my hands down and using my naturally flamboyant style. You can tell who I am from how I fight – a confident guy who knows I’ll get the job done.

“I can fight in many different ways. I can work on brawling, then the next fight I’ll box, then I’ll move. It all depends on my surroundings and what my opponent is doing. I adjust to what’s in front of me.

“While I aim to entertain in the ring, I’m always respectful of my opponents because I want to be a good character to look up to for youngsters. Boxers have powerful roles and I want to set a positive example for young people.”

MTK Global Scout Tom Stalker added: “This is another exciting signing for MTK Global because in Mace, we feel we’ve snared a really natural talent. You just have to look at what he achieved in the Queensbury Boxing League in a short space of time for proof.

“I first saw him when he came over to spar our guys in MTK Marbella so he’s someone I’ve had my eye on for a while. He impressed me immediately with his elusiveness and counter-punching and I’m sure he’s going to be a handful for anyone in the pro game.

“One thing we can promise with Mace is that he will entertain the fans. He’s got a style that people will simply watching. We believe his gifts can take him to title level sooner rather than later and we’re looking forward to helping him get there.”

News of Ruegg’s professional debut will be announced in due course.