Australian super featherweight star Liam Wilson has taken aim at rival Jackson England for making “outrageous sound effects” when he punches, branding it the ploy of a rival who “doesn’t have one ounce of mongrel in him”.
Robbed of a WBO world title against Emanuel Navarrete in February, Wilson is now readying to stamp his return to the United States – and a second title tilt – during the year’s final No Limit boxing card at The Star, Sydney this Friday night.
Despite being widely considered among the nation’s most polite fighters, Wilson took aim at Jackson during Wednesday’s press conference, and then doubled down to Fox Sports Australia afterwards.
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Among several intriguing claims, the Queenslander accused his rival of deliberately making “sound effects” when he punches during fights, a tactic Wilson said was both deliberate and “fraudulent”.
He also questioned the ticker of his first Australian opponent in over two years, adding: “I don’t see one ounce of mongrel in him”.
Jackson, meanwhile, simply laughed when Wilson’s claims were put to him, saying of the sound effects: “It’s just something I do … it’s actually funny, isn’t it?”
Fighting as the co-main to undefeated Aussie Sam Goodman, Wilson is looking to not only earn his second straight win of the year, but potentially a shot early next year against Mexican contender Oscar Valdez.
Back in August, Valdez also lost to Navarrete, via decision.
But before that, Wilson first wants a statement performance against the countryman he says should not even be competing this Friday night — convinced England was erroneously awarded a split decision win over Nathaniel May in October, on the undercard of Tim Tszyu versus Brian Mendoza.
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“So Jackson is lucky to be here,” Wilson said.
“He lost against Paul Fleming (in 2022) and then in his last fight, I think he lost to May.
“I know the decision, and how it was awarded, that’s all out of his hands.
“But still I think he lost.”
Pushed on England, the man ranked No.2 with the WBO continued: “I feel like I’m a good judge of character.
“And what I see in Jackson England, his boxing style doesn’t resemble who he is.
“He tries to fight a bullying style.
“Throws punches in bunches.
“But I don’t see one ounce of mongrel in him.
“He also makes outrageous sound effects when he punches …”
Huh?
“I think they’re deliberate,” Wilson continued of the sounds.
“It’s fraudulent.
“I’ve fought many people around the world – plenty of tough men – and they don’t do that.
“But take nothing away from the guy as a fighter.
“He’ll be a hard fight.
“He will be fit, game, hungry … and coming with the mindset of causing an upset.
“So I’ve got everything to lose in this fight.
“He has everything to gain.”
Pushed on why he thinks England would make “sound effects” against him, Wilson continued: “It’s just the type of person he is.
“And it’s for show.
“In boxing gyms, there are a lot of those people.
“All I’ll say is that I know who I am.
“And that I’ve been waiting for this moment a long time.
“The last time I fought another Australian, it was Francis Chua.
“He’s from the same gym as Jackson.
“So his trainer, his team, they know me.
“They’re extremely familiar with me.
“And now we’re about to find out who Jackson England is.”
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Asked later by Fox Sports Australia about Wilson’s claims that, firstly, he lacked mongrel, England shrugged: “That’s his opinion.
“And if he doesn’t see that, he’s going to find out.
“Because I’ve had to dig deep in fights previously; had to be that dog.
“But that also doesn’t mean I have to hold myself that way outside of the ring.
“I’m a professional.
“A gentleman of the sport.
“So while I may not look like a menacing person – and that’s OK, I don’t try to – I know that when it comes down to the nitty gritty, being able to get dirty, I know I can do that.”
And as for the sound effects claim?
“Look, I wouldn’t say it’s deliberate,” he grinned.
“It’s just something I do.
“The way I distribute punches and get them out there.
“It’s actually funny, isn’t it?”
Asked if he was surprised by the statements, the fighter who doubles as a regular sparring partner for Aussie fight favourite George Kambosos continued: “Not really.
“At the end of the day, people have opinions and can say what they like.
“Wilson says he is a good judge of character? Great.
“At the end of the day, I’ve got nothing but respect for him and what he’s done.
“I also know myself.
“And I know if it needs to get dirty, I know how to do that.”
England also revealed he was in the corner when Chua fought Wilson two years ago, eventually losing a decision over 10 rounds.
“And obviously Wilson has come along since then,” he said.
“He was levels above that against Navarette.
“But it’s my time now.
“I know I’ve got all the skills required to beat him.
“I’ve also got that dog in me … so if things need to get like that, I can.”