Timing couldn’t be better for Liam Walsh to take on the world

Promoter Frank Warren revealed yesterday that Walsh will meet IBF super-featherweight champion Gervonta Davis on May 20, at the Copperbox Arena in London.

'Liam is in the right place and that is fact,' said Everett, who has trained the unbeaten Walsh in all of his 21 pro fights, dating back to his debut in February, 2008.

'He is in a good place. The time is absolutely right, he needs a big fight.

'He just beat, in a final eliminator, Andrey Klimov, who two people had to beat to be a world champion – Terence Crawford and Jose Pedraza, and Liam beat him easily and bossed him.

'If he had come out of second or third gear I think he would have stopped him, but what he did on the night was right at the time and he learned a lot from that about self control, discipline and working tactics.

'That was the right fight at the right time and I think this one is as well.

'The date has surprised me a little – there was a little rumour it would be early or mid-June, but when you have fighters who are always ready, always in the gym, always prepared it is not a problem.'

It is clearly the biggest career fight for Walsh, who is unbeaten in 21 outings and a former British and Commonwealth champion.

'Some people get a world title fight against a world champion on the way down,' said Everett, who also counts Liam's brother, Ryan, himself a British featherweight champion, amongst his stable.

'Liam Walsh has not had it easy in his career whatsoever and he certainly isn't getting a fighter on the way down.

'Davis is an up and coming fighter who is being branded a superstar in the US.

'Liam is not the favourite by any stretch of the imagination but Liam wouldn't have it any other way.

'He wanted this fight, this challenge.'

Everett has known Walsh long enough to be able to identify the telltale signs of a champion.

'He has the heart of a lion,' said Everett. 'Steely determination and he has a very good inner strength and a strong mind.'