Liam Wilson v Oscar Valdez: Emotional promise inspiring Wilson’s world-title tilt

As Peter Wilson took his final breaths due to a failing liver, a 15-year-old Liam told his dad: “I will win a world title for you”.

Liam Wilson is determined to right the wrongs of his last trip to Arizona.

Liam Wilson insists he is not mentally scarred by his American nightmare and says a deathbed promise to his father will inspire him to world-title glory on Saturday.

The Queensland sensation is determined to right the wrongs of his last trip to Arizona when he faces Oscar Valdez in their super featherweight battle for the interim WBO world title at Glendale’s Diamond Desert Arena.

It was just 13 months ago that Wilson was left shattered at the same venue after his drama-charged loss to Emanuel Navarrete, who benefited from a controversial 27-second knockdown count to fight back and beat the Australian.

Wilson was seconds away from becoming a world champion. One big punch would have consummated a pact with his father 13 years ago. As Peter Wilson took his final breaths due to a failing liver, a 15-year-old Liam told his dad: “I will win a world title for you”.

Now, motivated by the spirit of his father, steeled by the pain of the Navarrete debacle, Wilson gets a second chance against Valdez. He vowed to take it.

“I’m as hungry as ever,” Wilson (13-2, 7KO) said ahead of his D-Day showdown with Valdez (31-2, 23KO).

“I still always think about my dad. He always gets me through some tough times.

“I haven’t fulfilled my promise to my dad, I haven’t fulfilled my dreams. I’m not at the top of the mountain yet, so the show goes on.

“I want to be the best. I want to be the world champion and this is my chance to make things right after what happened last year.”

Liam Wilson is determined to right the wrongs of his last trip to Arizona.

Wilson is referring to one of the greatest robberies in Australian boxing history.

The kid from Caboolture was on the brink of world boxing’s boilover of 2023 when he dropped red-hot favourite Navarrete with his trademark ‘left hook from hell’ in the fourth round.

Navarrete just beat the count. The wily Mexican then spat out his mouthguard, buying precious extra seconds to recover his senses, survive, and ultimately finish off Wilson with a ninth-round blitzkrieg that broke ‘Mr Damage’.

The 28-year-old is entitled to be bitter. Instead, he pledged to get better. Two months after the loss, he joined the Team Tszyu stable via manager Glen Jennings. Tim Tszyu’s tips and training ethos has sharpened Wilson for a bout with Valdez that will be just as dangerous as the Navarrete experience.

Mindful pocket rocket Valdez has never been stopped in his career — his only losses have been against superstars Navarrete and Shakur Stevenson — Wilson cannot afford to carry psychological scars.

“I’ve recovered from it fully,” Wilson said of last year’s Navarrete controversy.

Liam Wilson was left shattered at the same venue after his drama-charged loss to Emanuel Navarrete. Picture: Getty Images

“I’m well and truly past it now.

“I’m back to the same place in Arizona, but there is a different aura around this fight. Maybe it’s because I’m familiar with the atmosphere and I have fought at this arena before.

“I know I have the power to stop him. I am preparing for a 12-round war. He is a former two-time world champion, he has been to the Olympics, it’s as hard as it gets but I’m sure he knows I won’t be easy for him either.

“Valdez is in for a real shock. It would have eaten away at me if I didn’t get back to Arizona, but now I get the opportunity to make things right and have my hand raised this weekend as the world champion.

“There’s been some dark days for sure, but I’m ready for this moment. Trust me, I will show the boxing world.”

Valdez was a spectator at Diamond Desert Arena last year, watching just 15 metres away when Wilson rocked Navarrete. He is wary of Wilson’s dynamite left hand.

“I was there when he fought Emanuel Navarrete, he sent him to the canvas and I’ve got nothing but respect for the guy as a fighter and as a person,” Valdez said.

“Many people thought he should have won the fight because he had Navarrete very hurt.

“We’re working on counter-punches, we’re working on long combinations and being the faster, smarter fighter inside the ring.

“He’s a good fighter in general, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to win this.”

Originally published as Liam Wilson v Oscar Valdez: Emotional promise inspiring Wilson’s world-title tilt