Liam Hutchinson primed for Australian title tilt against Shannon King
IF things run according to the script written by Liam Hutchinson and his team, there will be a new Australian light middleweight champion.
Tonight from the Mansfield Tavern, Hutchinson, 22, will look to go from unrated challenger to reigning champion when the talented prospect tops the bill at the spiritual home of boxing in Brisbane.
“Training has been going great,” said Hutchinson in an interview with Aus-Boxing. “We’ve had a solid six weeks in camp and I’m super fit,”
The former two-division Queensland title holder (10-1, 5 KOs) speaks with confidence ahead of his biggest test to date in Shannon King (8-1, 7 KOs).
Amazingly, Hutchinson who is fifteen years younger than his opponent, has fought more rounds as a professional – having contested forty-five rounds in the paid ranks – compared to King’s forty-four.
“Leading up to this fight I’ve been doing plenty of rounds with former Australian middleweight champion Nate Carroll,” explained Hutchinson.
“We were sparring each other weekly in the preparation for our fights as well as towards the end of our camps.”
Hutchinson’s manager Brendan Bourke was full of praise for his young charge, acknowledging his never say no attitude ahead of the biggest fight of his career.
“This is a fight Liam wanted,” explained Bourke. “He wants to test himself against the best fighters in the country and what better way to start than current Australian champion in Shannon King.”
“I would like to thank promoter Angelo Di Carlo for putting this fight on,” he added.
“I’m really looking forward to this fight, Shannon is a tough assignment but Liam is ready after his first round demolition job over Ryan Heck.”
Hutchinson’s trainer John Bastable only furthered Bourke’s sentiment, adding to the confidence of Hutchinson’s team, who are primed for an upset win.
“This is the best training camp we have ever done,” Bastable said in closing. “This will be a great fight and I know Liam has a good chance to win,”
Photo: Provided
