Boxing
Austin Williams passes test against crafty Patrice Volny and Eddie Hearn sees path to a title shot
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Up against a tricky Patrice Volny, Austin "Ammo" Williams showed the growth necessary to possibly put him in line for a middleweight world title shot in the near future.
A diligent Williams outpointed the Canadian toward a unanimous decision victory at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, and live on DAZN , on Saturday night. Judges saw it in his favor, 118-110, 116-112 and 115-113, in what promoter Eddie Hearn called "by far the biggest win of his career.
"Volny is a serious fighter and it was the conditioning that came through for 'Ammo,'" the Matchroom Boxing promoter told DAZN's Chris Mannix after Williams' victory. "That's been the problem in the past. Volny's a good gatekeeper to the world championship."
Hearn added: "The middleweight division is kind of dead right now with characters, with personalities, with exciting fighters. He's got it all and I think it's time in 2025 to see that young man fight for the world middleweight title."
Williams (18-1, 12 KOs) earned those praises after figuring out that prodding persistence and activity were the necessary remedies to get past Volny who moved forward behind a high, tight guard that deflected a lot of the American's offense.
Undeterred, Williams took what Volny gave him, blasting the Canadian's body and targeting his gloves and arms when the veteran's guard proved too airtight. Williams' persistence paid off in the form of his left hand splitting that disciplined guard over numerous sequences as the fight went on toward the confidence-boosting victory.
"It's not time to take any more trials, any more steps back," Williams said after his win. "It's time to capitalize on what I've learned tonight."
After losing to Hamzah Sheeraz in June for his first pro defeat, Williams has now won two fights in a row.
