Liam Davies wants world title shot this year after winning second European crown

Shropshire boxing hero Liam Davies wants to fight for a world title later this year after becoming a two-weight European champion.

The 29-year-old from Donnington claimed the EBU crown with an impressive stoppage victory over Francesco Grandelli in Manchester on Saturday night, in his second bout since stepping up to featherweight.

Davies, who previously held the European and IBO world belts at super-bantamweight, is already eyeing big things in his new division.

He told DAZN: “I’m really happy. I am just moving myself closer to a shot at a world title, which I want to do by the end of the year.

“Who do I want to face? Any of the world champions. I want to be a world champion.”

Victory also saw Davies pick up the WBO inter-continental belt and he continued: “I think the WBO ranking puts me high up in that. I will fight anyone. I believe in myself and feel like I can beat them all.”

Davies made the move up to featherweight after losing his super-bantamweight belts to Shropshire rival Shabaz Masoud last year.

Saturday’s showing demonstrated his potential at the bigger weight with a one-sided win over Italy’s Grandelli.

Davies eased through the gears before sending his opponent to the canvas in the fourth round with a straight right followed by a left hook.

Though Grandelli rose to beat the count and battled bravely on, the bout was waved off at the end of the sixth round with Davies dominant.

“I did it in the fashion I expected to,” he said.“It is only my second fight at this weight class. I have worked hard and done everything right.

“My coach and my dad said he did well to get off the canvas, he’s a tough man.

“I believe I will be a world champion, I believe I can do it at this new weight. This is not me satisfied. I want that world title.”