LIAM CAMERON

Liam Cameron may not be a household name just yet but if he follows in the footsteps of his mentor Clinton Woods, it could only be a matter of time.

Cameron is on the fast track the top of the domestic scene and after only five fights faces a step up in class against Dee Mitchell, who has beaten the likes of Midlands Area Champion Martin Concepcion.

Cameron who is managed by Dennis Hobson and promoted by Frank Maloney has already impressed in his previous outings, most recently stopping the dangerous Alex Spitko in three rounds. The 19-year-old is confident that the pressure of being labelled a prospect will only spur him on:

“I've been in Spain training for the last two weeks sparring with Jorge Sendra who boxed Felix Sturm for a world title and also fought for the European title. He's been giving me some good tips and I've been in with Clinton Woods who has been helping me out.”

Having a former world champion in the camp has proved a inspiration for Sheffield's first ABA champion since Henry Hall in 1944. Woods has been in with some of the biggest names in recent history, a fact that the exciting welterweight has not taken for granted:

“It's unbelievable being with him, people are walking up to him asking to have their photos with him and then they start recognising you!

“He's calm when we are in the dressing room because he knows how you feel, he's been in with Roy Jones and he's been in with the best. He knows what you are thinking and always calms me down.”

After making his debut against the seasoned journeyman Matt Scriven, Cameron last boxed on the Rendall Munroe undercard in Coventry but fights again in Yorkshire where he has already built a sizeable fan base.

“I boxed in Sheffield on my debut and the atmosphere was incredible, I couldn't even hear myself think.

“I've boxed some good fighters already like Matt Scriven on my debut. People were asking why I had been matched with him but I won every round and he told me afterwards that I am one of the best he has boxed.”

With the most recent bunch of Olympians all still boasting a 100% record, the daunting label of an up-and-coming prospect is not an issue the Sheffield star is worried about:

“We are all the same at the end of the day, we are all building up, if anyone is in my weight we have all got to meet at some point. If someone's got a belt it doesn't matter how they have been built up.”

Liam will form part of the undercard to fellow Yorkshireman Jamie McDonnell's first European title defence against Rodrigo Bracco.

Tickets available from http://www.frankmaloney.com

On Friday night, on the undercard of Rendall Munroe's WBC Super Bantamweight title eliminator against Victor Terrazas, Sheffield's Liam 'Cannonball' Cameron, 3-0 (0 early), will aim to impress in his four rounder with the sturdy Alex Spitko, 7-22 (5 KOs).  He is looking forward to getting in the ring.

"I can't wait for it," he enthused.  "Everything's gone well.  I've been sparring with Kell Brook and Clinton Woods, and there's been no colds or anything [unlike in the run up to his last fight, where a cold marred his preparations].

Cameron continued to explain how valuable it is for him to spar someone the calibre of ex-world title holder Woods.  He beamed, "It's unbelievable because he makes you make mistakes because he's got that experience.  If you spar someone not as good as you, they won't make you do stuff wrong like he does, but sparring someone like Clinton helps you to work on those mistakes.  I've been working on stuff, and I've got Alex Spitko, who's tough, and the number one Latvian."

The sturdy Spitko, who scored a stoppage victory over Bret Murphy in his last outing, is someone Liam is convinced he'll be able to work out, and use the skills that won him the ABAs to take home the 'W'.

"I just think he's going to come and run at me," he admitted.  "I've heard he's got a big right hand, so I'll be coming over the top of that when he throws it.”

"I'll use my skills," he carried on.  "I think if I hit him, he's durable and won't go down.  I see me using my jab and opening him up because he's a bit careless in coming forward.  It could be a stoppage, but we'll have to see what he brings on the night.  Matt Scriven's his trainer, so I don't know what he'll be telling him.  It's definitely my toughest fight to date."

The prospect of being on a big undercard is something that the 'Cannonball' is looking forward to as well.  "It makes it better because most people who are interested in boxing will be watching, the press and TV are there, and hopefully I can show them what I've got," he asserted.  "People say that I get matched hard, and I think my record shows that I'll box any tough person."

Indeed, Cameron is convinced that Spitko's toughness will play into his hands.  "I think he's the right opponent for me to look good against," Liam stated.  "He's tough but he's careless and makes mistakes.  I think that I box better when I'm careful too.  In my last two, I just charged at them carelessly which wasn't as good."

The Sheffield middleweight is enjoying life as a pro, and doesn't see a massive difference between the paid and unpaid ranks as some fighters do.  "I think they suit me the same," said Cameron. "In the pros though, you can box journeyman who don't throw anything and when they do you're not expecting it, so when I step up I think it will be better with people coming for me more."

Down the line, Liam wants to headline huge bills like the one he takes part in tonight.  "In my first fight I topped the show in my hometown and that was good, and I think I'm ready for title-fight crowds now of a couple of thousand," he declared.  "It will spur me on and I won't get nervous.  I've had too many amateur fights for that, and I was chucked in with the best and beat the best.”

"Every day I'm thinking about titles," he continued, confirming his ambitions.  "I can't wait to hold one.  I think the extra distance will suit me well to.  I've been doing fights with two minute rounds as well, and I've been pleading with them to let me do threes, because in the amateurs I stopped them at about three minutes because as they were tiring I was coming on stronger.  It takes me a bit to get going."

Supposing all goes well in tonight's contest, Liam may get to step back in the ring as soon as mid-June.  "I think I might be on the Jamie McDonnell bill if he boxes in Doncaster," he revealed.  "That will be good with him having three belts."

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LIAM CAMERON has just had to pull out of a New York modelling shoot with Mick Jagger's daughter.

By Bob Westerdale

http://www.thestar.co.uk/boxing/It39s-Only-Rock39n-Roll-but.6245205.jp

Liam Cameron's next fight takes place on April 23rd 2010 in Coventry live on Sky Sports where he will be fighting on the Rendall Munroe vs Victor Terrazas undercard.

The fight will be beamed live from Coventry's SkyDome on Sky Sports meaning Liam will be fighting in front of millions of TV viewers.

Training hard in the gym Liam has been given top backing from World IBF Champion Clinton Woods who knows himself just how tough preparing for fights can be.

"Liam's in top shape and training incredibly hard for this fight" says Clinton "We're working together on getting Liam ready to win this fight and the hard work being put in at the moment will all pay off in the end when Liam walks away with another win"

And who can doubt Clinton Woods ? He's been there, done it all - having fought the best and blasted his way right to the top of his game

This fight is on - Liam's ready for it - and it's on Sky Sports - April 23rd 2010