Exclusive - Daws set for British title defence

Lenny Daws will make the second defence of his British light-welterweight title against the unbeaten Steve Williams at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Friday 9 July.

31-year-old Daws is currently in his second reign as British champion after regaining the Lonsdale belt with a revenge tenth round stoppage of Scotland’s Barry Morrison last September. Morrison previously ended Daws’ first British championship reign following a split decision in 2007. It remains Daws’ only defeat in 23 outings (against two draws).

Daws held on to his British crown last time out after drawing with Jason Cook in February. The Morden man was shaken early on but typically produced a strong finish down the stretch which left Cook clinging on at the finish. Most ringsiders felt Lenny’s late surge should have resulted in him being given the nod.

Challenger Williams will enter the ring with an unblemished nine-fight slate (three wins early). The Merseyside scrapper recorded the best win of his career on the undercard of Daws-Cook when outscoring one-time prospect Michael Grant over ten rounds to claim the vacant English title.

Tall and tenacious, the 26-year-old Williams will certainly take the fight to Daws which should make for an entertaining spectacle. Daws’ greater experience and former amateur pedigree will see him start a narrow favourite, however.