Graham Everett is the man Liam Walsh entrusts to help him prepare for battle.
The Norwich trainer has been in Walsh’s corner for all 13 of his professional bouts so far – but none will be harder than his next outing in London’s Excel Arena next month.
Walsh, perhaps undeservedly, has been presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity to challenge Scotsman Ricky Burns, 35-2 (10), for his WBO ‘world’ lightweight title.
The fight represents a serious step up in class for the man from Cromer, but it’s hard to say no when a call comes from Dean Powell asking if you fancy a shot at a world title. Boxing is all about taking your chances when they arise and testing yourself against the best.
Everett had been busy preparing Walsh in facing Middlesbrough’s Paul Truscott at the end of November, but now has to train his charge, at relatively late notice, for a WBO title tilt.
For a 13-fight ‘novice’ and just one contest in the last ten months, it is hard to make a serious claim for Walsh to be even mixing it with a world class operator in Burns. A man that outboxed Michael Katsidis and dispatched of Kevin Mitchell inside four rounds.
“Nobody has yet seen the best of Liam Walsh,” says Everett. “The justification of this fight will be proven on the night as we will get to see how good Liam Walsh really is.”
But Everett acknowledges the lack of fights for Walsh, 26, has been far from ideal but insists his man is not there to simply make up the numbers.
“He has good amateur experience (40 fights), has tremendous confidence and is better than his 13-fight record suggests. He is a massive talent and stranger things have happened in boxing.”
Liam has also had four championship fights and big fight experience of boxing on big open air shows at West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground.
Walsh became the first man to stop rugged Italian lightweight Domenico Urbano, 25-4 (10), on the much discussed David Haye-Dereck Chisora bill in July.
Veteran referee Mickey Vann stopped the fight in the eighth round – even though Urbano, 36, wasn’t visibly hurt – he was shipping punishment without being able to fire any shots of his own in return.
That fight earned Walsh the WBO European lightweight trinket and more importantly a WBO world ranking.
Watching Liam up close he is an almost complete fighter who possesses natural talent in being able to effortless switch styles.
Something that will, at the very least, keep Burns guessing on the night.
Explains Everett: “Liam is a hard person to prepare for. Is he going to come out orthodox? Is he going to come out southpaw? Is he going to box or will he be aggressive? He has very much got a change of style.
“Billy (Nelson), Ricky’s trainer, has contacted me on a few occasions to get Liam up to spar in his gym, so that tells you how highly Liam is thought of.”
I understand there is plenty of mutual respect between the two camps with their paths crossing on numerous occasions but have never sparred with each other.
Everett, who works out of the Kick Stop gym in Norwich, has in the past worked the corners of former champions Herbie Hide and Jon Thaxton, and the Burns fight is going to be another night that will see his championship training credentials tested to the hilt.
Everett says it’s a great buzz for a trainer being involved in big title fights and is something he relishes.
“You strive to be the best at what you do and to get the best out of your fighters. This is a great stage for me to showcase what I know as a trainer. I am also very much looking forward to going head to head with Billy Nelson, who I respect greatly.”
Everett, who has held a professional trainer's licence since the early 90s, rarely receives widespread acclaim in the media – but does he believe he receives the recognition for his good work he deserves?
“I think amongst a lot of genuine boxing people – maybe not in the media but that doesn’t really bother me – the real boxing people who come to my gym they know the job I do, and my fighters know the job I do and I’m happy with that.”
As usual, Ryan and Michael will play a vital role in preparing their brother for his December showdown and will be in the corner on fight night guiding Liam through the fight.
“They’ve got each other. They are a unit. They lift each other and push each other in the gym. And they (Michael and Ryan) will be behind Liam 110% and that helps me no end,” reveals Everett.
Everett believes remaining focused will be the key for Liam if he is to pull off a major upset.
“He’s got to be mentally right, his concentration has got to be 100% focused on the job and not get carried away with the crowd. I know he will be conditioned and determined, it’s just getting the concentration right on the night.”
With a potential super-fight with young American sensation Adrian Broner already being discussed for Burns next year does Everett believe Ricky is overlooking his man?
“I don’t think Ricky is, but maybe the media are. I remember Sam Sexton being totally written off against Martin Rogan and remember Jon Thaxton being written off against Lee Meager – we’re there to spoil the party that’s simple.”
Liam Walsh can take inspiration from Josesito Lopez who produced one of the major upsets of the year in stopping the much fancied Victor Ortiz in June, breaking Ortiz’s jaw in the process.
The defeat for 'Vicious' destroyed a pre-contracted match-up with Mexican superstar Saul Alvarez, with underdog Lopez going on to take Ortiz’s place.
Could the same happen with Walsh by beating Burns then going on to fight Broner Stateside in 2013?
Unlikely, maybe, but 2012 could well prove to be the year of the underdog.
Dare to dream - Josesito Lopez did.
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