Express & Star

Kyle Williams ready for home battle

Bantamweight Kyle Williams is looking forward to enjoying a home advantage, as he prepares to battle against Thomas Essomba in Willenhall on Saturday.

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The former kickboxing world champion, from Wolverhampton, is the current Midlands Area champion, and will be fighting for an English title.

Williams’ fight is the headline bout on BCB’s Emerging Stars event at The Willows Banqueting Suite and he is feeling confident ahead of the fight.

“I got into boxing for nights like this,” the 26-year-old said. “I like the attention, I love the build-up. I’ll feel at home with the pressure.

“Willenhall is only down the road, so it is home from home really. I’m the Midlands champion so I represent the whole of the Midlands in my eyes.”

The Willows is the third venue scheduled to host the fight. The event was originally to be held at Wolverhampton’s Starworks Warehouse, before the building was struck by a fire, and has since been moved from Wolverhampton University.

Despite only making his boxing debut in 2016, with his world-class background and undefeated 8-0 record, Williams is convinced he will become an English champion, this weekend.

His opponent, the 30-year-old Essomba, has a record of 8-3, and the Wolverhampton fighter has been quite complimentary about the man from Ryhope in Tyne and Wear.

“I haven’t watched too much on him”, he admitted. “But what I have seen is that he is very experienced, tough and strong.”

Though, the former kickboxer can only see himself securing the biggest win of his career, on the night.

“I’m confident and can only see a Williams win,” he said. “The team at BCB have pushed me too hard for me not to be victorious.

“I know I have the fitness to go all night but I [also] have the skills to force a stoppage. I’m not looking for the stoppage, but if it comes believe me I’ll jump on it like a lion to his prey.”

The Emerging Stars event takes place at The Willows Banqueting Suite, Bath Street, Willenhall, WV13 2EY, on Saturday 9th June, with the fights starting at 7pm.