Sheffield boxer Liam Cameron plans big finale before retirement

Sheffield's Liam Cameron is entering the final phase of his life as a professional boxer in a new gym, a different weight division and with a clear plan for his future.

The Manor athlete has left Steel City gym for Manor Boxing Academy, and plans to see out the rest of his fight career at super middleweight.

Next year will be his last in the ring. And the 35-year-old plans to go into coaching, after hanging up his gloves.

There had been suggestions that Liam (24-8-1) would retire after his jaw was badly broken by a Bradley Rea left hook in Manchester in May.

But he told The Star: "My injury is just awaiting the all clear and I've decided that 2027 will be my last year boxing.

"I should be in a big fight in December, which I can't talk about right now. It'll be bigger than Ben Whittaker!

"My last fight (the Rea stoppage) was frustrating, I was not happy at all with how I performed. I was proper stressed out after losing.

"I've realised that light heavyweight is too big for me and I'm going down to super middleweight.

"I had only stayed at that weight because I kept having big fights offered to me. They kept dangling the carrot, and it was good money. But I can't keep getting away with it.

"I have lost a lot of weight, 10 kilos, I have really knuckled down.

"I am walking around only two and a half kilos off super middleweight which is nothing in boxing terms. I feel strong and sharp."

Liam has lost three, drawn one and won one of his last five appearances, but they were against some very good fighters, including Whittaker.

"There is no shame in that - a lot of boxers don't take fights like that" he said. "I rolled the dice against some great fighters but they were too big, really."

The 17-year veteran ended his long association with Steel City in July; he was trained there by Pearce Gudgeon.

"After retiring, I want to coach, I already train 13 fighters" he said.

"I have my badges and will get a management licence too.

"Steel City is very busy with enough coaches, so it made sense for me to move on.

"I was out for a run when Roger Sampson (MBA coach) suddenly drove past me in his truck. He stopped and I cheekily asked if I could join his gym and coach. He said yes and gave me the keys to it!"

Cameron started at Steel City back in 2002, tried his hand at other gyms and returned in 2023.

"You have to have a Plan B when you finish fighting. And that is coaching, for me. It is their gym, their rules. I wanted to be my own guy, it was nothing personal, it just didn't make sense to do it (coaching) at Steel City.

"I said my farewells. It wasn't a nice feeling to leave. But Dalton Smith contacted me to wish me well."

The former ABA welterweight champion said he was impressed by the potential of many of the youngsters at MBA's Handsworth base, a gym used by the likes of Shakiel Thompson and Sheldon McDonald.

"I train kids there for free, I just want to help them.

"I have a lot of knowledge and experience and it would all be lost if I just went to work on a building site. I am planning for the future" he said.