Commonwealth Gold medallist Lewis Williams inspired for next fight after five weeks sparring Oleksandr Usyk

Back where it all began

Commonwealth Gold medallist Lewis Williams returns to Birmingham's BP Pulse @NEC, fresh off five weeks sparring Oleksandr Usyk

Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Lewis Williams (4-0, 1 KO) will step back into the ring on Saturday 26 September, fighting on the Queensberry Promotions card at BP Pulse Live, Birmingham, the arena that sits within the very same NEC complex where Williams claimed Commonwealth Games Gold in the heavyweight division back in 2022.

For the 27-year-old, it is a fight steeped in full-circle symbolism. Four years after standing on top of the podium as the NEC crowd roared, Williams returns to Birmingham as a rising professional, on a bill topped by Liam Davies's European and WBO Intercontinental featherweight title defence against Nathaniel Collins.

"That NEC crowd is where it all changed for me, I turned Commonwealth Gold into a career because of what happened in that building," said Williams.

"Coming back to fight as a professional, on the same ground, in front of a Birmingham crowd again, there's not much that beats that feeling. I want to give them a homecoming to remember."

Straight from Usyk's camp Williams heads into the Birmingham date on the back of a career-defining training camp. Earlier this year he was invited by undisputed heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk, to join Usyk's training camp in Spain ahead of the champion's title defence. Booked in for a single week, Williams impressed enough to be retained for almost five weeks of sparring.

The camp also gave Williams the chance to reconnect with two-weight world champion Anthony Joshua, who was working alongside Usyk's team during the same period. The two spent time together away from the ring as well as sharing the same training space, a rare piece of access for a fighter with only four pro fights to his name.

"Sharing a ring with the best heavyweight on the planet for five weeks teaches you things rounds against domestic opponents can't," Williams said.

"And getting to sit down and catch up with AJ out there, away from all the cameras, that's the stuff you don't forget. It sharpened me up, but it also reminded me what's possible if you keep doing the work."

Building toward the top Williams turned professional in November 2024 after winning Commonwealth Games heavyweight gold at Birmingham 2022, signing with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions.

He has won all four of his fights since, most recently a points win over Ben Vickers in Derby in February 2026, and trains under Edwin Cleary at Cleary's Gym in Leamington Spa.

Tickets for the 26 September event at BP Pulse Live, Birmingham, headlined by Liam Davies vs Nathaniel Collins and streamed live on DAZN, are available via https://lewiswilliamsboxing.com/

Follow Lewis on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_lewiswilliams/