Liam Cameron and Dennis Hobson
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By Andrew Wake: Sheffield’s light-middleweight prospect Liam “Cannonball” Cameron has been getting an education in boxing from one of his city’s most famous sons.
The 19-year-old 2009 ABA champion is still working under the tutelage of Chris Smedley – the man who trained him through the amateurs and turned over with him last year – but he now also enjoys regular sessions with former IBF light-heavyweight champion Clinton Woods.
“I’ve been doing three times a week with Clinton and he’s been showing me some good stuff,” enthused Cameron, 3 – 0 (0).
“He’s an unbelievable inspiration. He’s been world champion. I was asking him the other day how many belts he’s got and he’s got the Commonwealth, European, British and IBF, so for him to pass his knowledge on to me is incredible.”
Cameron wasn’t the favourite to win the ABA title at 69kg at the English Institute for Sport in his home city last May but overcame the highly touted Scott Cardle in the semis before seeing off Dudley O’Shaughnessy in the final.
After that it was thought that the young Yorkshire man would stay on in the unpaid ranks and try to break into the Great Britain squad for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, but instead he turned pro and feels he has adapted to his style perfectly.
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“I think I’ve adapted well to the pros,” he stated. “In my last fight [Kevin] McCauley hit me with three big headbutts and I didn’t even complain to the ref because that’s what it’s about, it’s a horrible sport but I love it.
“In 12 months I hope to be around 11 – 0 and pick up a little title along the way. I’m eager to get to the top. I train so hard and I don’t think there’s any fighter who can match how hard I train and run. I can say that confidently.
“I’ve got a good team behind me and I’d like to thank Clinton, Chris Smedley and Dennis Hobson for the push they give me but all my fans make work hard as well because I don’t want to let them down when they’re supporting me.”
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