Liam Wilson to secure world-title shot in Australia if he beats bitter rival Youssef Dib

He has twice had his heart broken fighting for world titles. But Liam Wilson is set to clinch a third world-title shot if he beats Youssef Dib in their bitter re-match in Brisbane.

Queensland boxer Liam Wilson is on the verge of a world title shot in Australia. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Liam Wilson is on the verge of another blockbuster world-title shot.

This masthead can reveal the Queensland knockout artist is set to clinch a third world-title shot if he beats Sydneysider Youssef Dib in their bitter, State of Origin-style re-match in Brisbane on Saturday night.

It is understood Wilson’s promoters No Limit are in the advanced stages of talks for ‘Mr Damage’ to face defending champion O’Shaquie Foster for the WBC super featherweight world title.

Foster’s promoters Top Rank are keen for the American to have a voluntary title defence and Wilson will be in pole position if he demolishes Dib for a second time in their main event at Southbank’s Suncorp Piazza.

Wilson (14-3, 8KO) is fighting Dib (21-2, 11KO) at lightweight, but will drop back down to super featherweight to face Foster and realise his deathbed promise to his late father Peter to win a world title.

Liam Wilson (left) and Youssef Dib face off ahead of Saturday night’s re-match in Brisbane.

The Caboolture slugger has twice suffered world-title heartbreak, controversially stopped by Emanuel Navarrete in Arizona in 2023 before another gut-wrenching loss to Oscar Valdez at the same venue a year later.

But it could be third time lucky for Wilson. No Limit are in negotiations with Top Rank to bring Foster (23-3) to Australia for a world-title blockbuster in June or July, with Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena, usually home to tennis, one possible venue.

The crucial last step is disposing of Dib, with Wilson’s camp confident of a more savage display after Mr Damage unleashed his ‘Left Hook from Hell’ to seal an eighth-round knockout win in their first meeting last July in Wollongong.

No Limit boss Matt Rose declined to comment on world-title negotiations but is adamant Wilson has the class and punching power to conquer the world.

“Liam Wilson is absolutely capable of winning a world title,” he said.

“This is a massive fight domestically for Liam, but it has global ramifications if he beats Dib.

“Not many guys in world boxing have one punch knockout power and Liam has it.

Wilson was one punch away from stopping Mexican world champion Emanuel Navarrete in 2023.

“If you look back to his fight with Navarrete, Liam was one punch away from shocking the world and winning that world title.

“He basically beat him and even Navarrete said he has never been hit as hard as he was by Liam Wilson.

“Liam hasn’t won a world title but he is genuinely world class.

“This is a huge fight for both guys. Liam can’t afford to lose to Youssef. It was a very close fight last time and a lot of people thought Youssef was winning that fight, so Liam can’t take him lightly at all.

“Liam can shock the world, I have no doubt, but it’s now up to him.”

Wilson produced a savage left hook to knockout Dib in their first meeting last July.

In their first fight, Wilson was slightly ahead on all three judges’ cards (68-65, 67-66 and 67-66), but there was a view Dib was fitter and finishing stronger before copping a knockout blow.

That bout represented Wilson’s debut at lightweight. Now the Queenslander wants to put the nail in the boxing coffin of his New South Wales foe.

“This time I want a more decisive performance,” Wilson said.

“It was a see-sawing battle last time. Ultimately he overperformed and I underperformed, simple as that.

“I feel sorry for him. I knock people out for fun and I will knock him out on Saturday night.”

Originally published as Liam Wilson to secure world-title shot in Australia if he beats bitter rival Youssef Dib