Aiyteh Powers Fights For C'wealth Title

Ghana’s Aiyteh Powers gets a chance put himself on the title treadmill when he challenges RICHARD WILLIAMS for the vacant Commonwealth light-middleweight crown in East London tonight.

Not much is known about Powers, but he is from Bukom, a small town just outside Accra, with an unbelievable history in boxing. He has lost twice, but in both fights he was overmatched.

Ghana has a rich history of sending winners to Britain for good pay-days and the chance to win the belt and Williams is well aware of the dangers inherent whenever an opponent enters the ring without a reputation and with fewer than 15 verifiable bouts to his name. Another problem with relatively unknown boxers is that it is often impossible to acquire videotapes of their fights.

"As a fighter I like to take one fight at a time but I can't help looking past Powers,'' admitted Williams. "I know that is wrong but I believe that I should be fighting better men than him at this stage in my career.''

Providing Williams can regain his composure and confidence, which deserted him against Martinez, he should be able to overcome Powers and pick up his old title. A win would move him back into contention for a selection of the less meaningful world title belts, but perhaps a better fight would be a long overdue challenge for the British title and an appealing showdown against Manchester's Jamie Moore.

Londoner Williams has taken seven months off following his surprise IBO title defeat to Sergio Martinez last June.

He said: “I’ve had a good long rest and feel the batteries are now fully charged again.
“What has put a bigger smile on my face is the fact I have a chance to regain my old Commonwealth title.”