Osh Williams on sparring his hero, and the belief he has in himself

Osh Williams

When and why you started boxing:
I got into a fight at school when I was 12 years old. I got a bit of a hiding if Iโ€™m honest! So my dad took me to a gym the next day.

Favourite all-time fighter:
I loved Arturo Gatti. He always came to fight and he always put everything on the line. He was involved in so many great fights.

Best fight youโ€™ve seen:
The Anthony Crolla-Darleys Perez rematch. The atmosphere in the arena that night was incredible.

Personal career highlight:
Winning my professional debut in January [on points over four rounds against Dylan Draper]. It was a proud moment for me and my family.

Toughest opponent:
My second professional opponent, Qasim Hussain [w pts 4 โ€“ March]. Heโ€™s as tough as they come and he knows every trick in the book.

Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
Iโ€™m big and strong at the weight. Iโ€™m also very fit, so I can fight at a fast pace. My weakness is that sometimes I want to get into a fight when itโ€™s better to just sit back and box.

Training tip:
Be consistent, keep your head down, stay focused and eventually good things will happen.

Favourite meal/restaurant:
My ritual after every fight is to go to Five Guys. The burgers are second to none!

Best friends in boxing:
My manager Kieran Farrell and my coach Wez Jones. They always have my best interests at heart.

Other sportsman you would like to be:
Itโ€™d have to be Michael Jordan. Iโ€™ve been watching the Netflix documentary, The Last Dance, so Iโ€™m obsessed with basketball
at the moment!

Last film/TV show you saw:
The Last Dance.

Who would play you in a film of your life:
Denzel Washington or Will Smith.

Have you ever been starstruck:
Yes, when I went to Gallagherโ€™s Gym and saw all these fighters that Iโ€™d grown up watching on TV. I also sparred one of my boxing heroes, Anthony Crolla, before his final fight.

Last time you cried:
I honestly canโ€™t remember.

Best advice received:
My old coach, the late, great Oliver Harrison, always told me to be myself in the ring, as at my best I can beat anyone.

Worst rumour about yourself:
I donโ€™t listen to rumours.

Something not many people know about you:
Iโ€™m very upfront and honest. What you see is what you get.

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