CWMBRAN’S Gary Lockett never quite made it to a world title as a boxer, but he’s confident he could as a trainer after Liam Williams won a first title on Monday night.

The 22-year old from the Rhondda is the new Commonwealth light-middleweight champion after blowing away the veteran Michael Lomax with a first round stoppage in London.

Now unbeaten in 12 career fights, Williams has earned his own luck since taking a chance by fighting in Germany in April on an Enzo Maccarinelli undercard as he beat the tough Yuri Pompilio over eight rounds.

Williams caught the eye on that bill and in his next outing took out the experienced Ronnie Hefron, finally putting him in the spotlight after periods of inactivity and fighting on small hall shows.

Promoted by Frank Warren, Williams is now coming to the fore and his destruction of Lomax – which makes him the mandatory contender for Liam Smith’s British title – shows his potential, according to Lockett.

The former WBU middleweight champion is also ready to bide his time as he plots a route to the top for his fighter, who previously trained in Bargoed with Vince Cleverly.

“We are very happy with Liam’s performance, without sounding disrespectful, we didn’t expect the fight to go the distance but by the same token, we didn’t expect a first round finish,” he said.

“Liam has improved no end as a fighter and he is now getting his rewards.

“He won his first three fights all on points because he wasted a lot of energy throwing loads of shots that missed.

“But he now he is a very good operator, a very good boxer and he’s developing into a real puncher as well.

“To go from making your debut to winning your first title – a proper title as well – in three years, it’s very, very impressive.”

Lockett, who himself fought for a world title when he faced Kelly Pavlik in Atlantic City, thinks his charge will eventually fight at the top level, but is in absolutely no rush to get him there.

“Liam is now the mandatory challenger for Liam Smith’s British title and if Liam Smith wants that fight, we’ll happily take it,” he confirmed to Argus Sport.

“But we aren’t going to rush Liam along, he’s in a good position now and he’s earned that.

“He’s 22, he is potentially a world title level fighter and I think Frank Warren knows now that Liam is one of his top two or three prospects.

“He’s not flying under the radar anymore and his chances are going to come.”

Lockett admits it is nice that his charge now had a little more control over his destiny.

“That’s the nature of boxing,” he said. “Two years ago no-one knew who Liam was and I was calling in favours to add him to small hall shows.

“But since he took the chance to fight in Germany and impressed, his career has skyrocketed.

“Liam is a good example of what can come to a boxer who never backs away from a challenge and who is willing to take on the big tests.

“A lot of undefeated prospects only worry about the 0 in the L column of their record and miss these opportunities.”