Liam Cameron - Sheffield's next star?

A new Cannonball Run has started and the action commences in the unlikely venue of Sheffield. The Steel City has champions past and present and there is another prospect learning his trade as we speak. 20-year-old Liam “Cannonball” Cameron is sporting an unbeaten record of 8-0 and is hungry for success.

Boxing fans in Sheffield have had plenty to cheer about for years now, former world champions Prince Naseem, Johnny Nelson and Clinton Woods all fought out of their home town. Now they have Ryan Rhodes and Kell Brook who could both be on the verge of a major title shot. Liam has been spoilt for choice for role models and heroes but surprisingly it was none of the above who were responsible for Liam getting into boxing.

“I got into boxing by watching the Rocky movies, I used to wrap up in bandages and put oranges in my mouth as gum shields. When I was in town one day with my mum and my uncle we bumped into Chris Smedley who asked me to the gym to try some sparring. At first my mum didn’t like it but by my ninth birthday she let me start full time.”

Liam had a successful amateur career, shadowing the likes of Joe Calzaghe and Matthew Macklin by winning the ABA championship at welterweight.

“I had 53 amateur fights. In my last five fights in the ABA finals I was always the underdog but I never dodged fighting anyone. I wanted to fight the best."

After winning his amateur title in 2009 Liam decided that moving into the pro ranks would be the best thing for him. He felt that he wasn’t getting the breaks he deserved in the amateur game.

“I won the ABA‘s beating Scott Cardle along the way, he went on to a bronze medal in the world championships in 2009. I beat him 10-0 and was told that who ever won these British Championships will qualify for the next major international tournament. I won the final 15-2. Then they put in Scott who I had already beaten? I couldn’t believe they put someone else in for the tournament. Then they offered me a trial to get into the podium squad but I wasn’t willing to battle it out against people I already beat convincingly. So I though instead of waiting for the 2012 Olympics in three years time I would turn over and start getting some experience as a pro.”

Liam has settled into pro life well and Is more than happy with the team he has behind him. He is promoted by Dennis Hobson who used to look after Clinton Woods and also promoted Ricky Hatton in the past.

“I am trained by Chris Smedley and we fight out of the Steel City Gym. I’ve got a great conditioning coach on board who has worked with Kell Brook and Ryan Rhodes. In my last couple of fights my I’ve felt so strong in the ring, my powers really come on. The teams are killing me in training, I’ve never known it so hard!”

One thing Liam certainly has on his side is time. At twenty years old there doesn’t seem that much need to rush him along. Saying that Liam is not content with padding his record with easy wins, he really wants to test himself.

“For my next fight I’ve said to my trainer and promoter that there are two names I want. Anthony Fitzgerald or Kreshnik Qato. I’ve said I’m happy to fight these guys. In the amateurs I boxed all the best people, the better my opponent and the more he comes to fight the better I perform.”

During his short career to date he has faced a couple of fighters who have been known to cause the odd upset and have tested a lot of good prospects early in their careers. He fought Alex Spitko in his fourth fight and then Dee Mitchell in his fifth fight. Liam is pleased with those wins and feels he is improving all the time.

“I’m sharp and very elusive and have a good boxing brain. When I’m fighting I can adapt to any style of opponent. I liked the Spikto win best. Also I was very happy with the Dee Mitchell win. I used to spar with Dee and I thought it was going to be a real tough fight. I had a great camp in Spain for that fight and had top quality sparring and it all paid off.

“I feel I’ve come on leaps and bounds since then, my body’s got bigger and I feel more comfortable in the ring. I’d love to do 10 rounds now. I feel it would be an advantage for me because I just get stronger as fights go on, my opponents will be wondering why I’m not getting tired!” Every young fighter‘s dream is to win titles and belts. Liam is no different and is hoping to get his big chance sooner rather than later.

“I want titles, hopefully I will get some sort of opportunity in my next couple of fights.”

Image above, courtesy Steve Parkin, L-R Adnan Amar, Liam Cameron, Kell Brook, Lee Noble