LIAM WALSH is ready to return to action and he has set his sights on a fight with any British fighter at either super-featherweight or lightweight, as he aims to get back up towards world title level in 2018.
Alongside his twin brother Ryan, Walsh is now a promotional free agent and is offering his services to any promoter in the UK, prepared to put their man in with him.
The former British and Commonwealth super-featherweight champion was last in action back in May, when he was stopped by Gervonta Davis in three rounds at the Copper Box in London, falling short of winning the IBF world title.
Walsh told Boxing News: “I’m a free agent now and I’m just waiting for a bit of news to see where I will go next. I’m offering my services to any fighter in the UK between super-feather and lightweight. If they want a real fight, then I’m more than happy to get in there with them. I’m not expensive, so if the fight hasn’t happened, then it isn’t down to me.
“I like the fight with Martin J ward, as he’s got the European title at super-feather, whilst I also think the Stephen Smith fight would be really good. At lightweight, I still think there is some interest in the Ricky Burns fight, which makes sense as we are both coming off losses.
“People should be more interested than ever before in fighting me because apparently now I’m overrated and I haven’t got a chin. I’m an intriguing test for anyone out there and I’m willing to take anyone on. I have no interest in warm-up fights, I’m not prepared to waste my time on them, as I only want to go in with good fighters.”
The 31-year-old, who slipped to 21-1 with the Davis defeat, is insistent that he will be a different fighter than he was before, as he was always holding something back due to the need to protect his world title ambitions.
He is now looking to get back to being in exciting fights, similar to what he was in back in 2011 when he faced Paul Appleby in a thrilling contest. He adds these are the fights that drew him into boxing and what he wants to give to the British boxing fans.
“I’m really excited about the future and I won’t be anywhere near as cautious as I was before. I fought with shackles on in my last few fights and was worried about making a mistake, which if you ask anyone who knows me, they know that isn’t me, as I enjoy taking risks.
“I watch those fights back and I don’t enjoy them because nobody likes winning that way. I was very safety first, as I couldn’t afford to slip up and lose that world title shot. I’m going to go back to being aggressive and roll back the years a bit. I might get poleaxed in the process, but at least I won’t be restricted and people will enjoy it.
“Those are the fights that people want to see and it’s why we all love boxing. I’ve lost now, so I have nothing to protect, so let’s see who wants to fight me, as I’m ready for anyone. I want to see what I’m really made of. If nothing comes off, then I won’t cry about it and I’ll have to get a real job won’t I? It is what it is. But, put it this way, anyone between super-feather and lightweight that wants a real test, all they need to do is give me a call.”
