'There's not a better time to turn pro' - Williams

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Connor Williams feels there is no better time to fulfil his lifelong ambition as he prepares to begin his professional boxing career.

For the Welshman boxing has provided much more than sporting success. It has given him direction.

"I feel like I found my place in the world in a boxing ring," said Williams.

Having established himself as one of Wales' brightest amateur talents, the 24-year-old is now ready to test himself in the professional ranks.

"Coming off the back of a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, I don't think there's a better time to turn pro," he said.

"Being a professional boxer has always been in the back of my mind since I started boxing. Everyone wants to be a professional boxer when they start out."

Williams took up boxing at 15, initially searching for direction before finding a sport which now shapes his future.

His rise through the amateur ranks gathered pace in 2023 when he won the Welsh National Championships Elite title, before reaching the GB Three Nations final in 2025.

Yet it was his time with Team Wales which ultimately convinced him it was the right moment to make the switch.

Williams joined the Welsh boxing programme just 18 months before the Commonwealth Games and went on to defeat Peter Kotze, Duken Holo Tutakiitoa and Garyn McAllister on his way to the final.

More importantly, he believes the programme transformed him as a fighter.

"It made me into a much more dangerous and powerful fighter," Williams said.

"I became much stronger when I joined the programme and was introduced to a whole different world of boxing. They definitely made me ready."

Williams eventually claimed silver after a unanimous decision defeat to England's Isaac Okoh in the 90kg heavyweight final.

But the medal was not the only thing that made the experience unforgettable.

"As a Welshman, it is a massive achievement to compete in the Commonwealth Games," he added.

"As far as my amateur aspirations went, it was pretty much the Commonwealth Games. After the Games were over, I didn't really fancy going any further in the amateurs and I've always wanted to become world champion in the pro game."

Williams was not the only Welsh boxer to leave Glasgow with a medal. Bronze medallist Owain Harris-Allen and fellow silver medallist Orlando Holley-Sotomi have also left the amateur programme to turn professional.

"I'm chuffed to be turning over at the same time as the boys," he said.

"Hopefully we can be on the same cards together throughout our journeys and progress together like we did in the amateurs.

"It was great to share the Games with them and hopefully, like we did, in the Commonwealth Games succeed together."

Their collective arrival is something Williams' new manager Gary Lockett believes could help reinvigorate Welsh boxing.

"Boxing in Wales has had a setback over the last few years because there haven't been many of the bigger promoters coming here.

"It would be a shame if we didn't bring the big shows back to Wales with all the talent we've got. Hopefully these boys turning professional can encourage those promoters to come back."

Turning to professional boxing means turning to new mentors.

"I know how good he can be," said Williams' new trainer, Enzo Maccarinelli.

"He's got very good potential. I've just got to release that potential."

Former WBO cruiserweight world champion Maccarinelli began working with Williams after the Commonwealth Games, but had followed his progress for years.

"I've known Connor for a long time," he said.

"I knew his coach, Stephen Brophy, and it was a natural progression when he wanted to turn professional. I knew it was coming at some point."

Despite his admiration for Williams, Maccarinelli knows there are adjustments to be made.

"Professional boxing is a different sport," he said.

"We have to modify his game, get him punching a bit harder, but he's got potential to get to the top.

"He's like a sponge. He's always picking things up and always messaging me asking what he can do.

"He's going to need to be conditioned for eight, 10 or 12 rounds rather than just a sprint over three."

And Maccarinelli has already seen encouraging signs from his fellow Swansea man.

"I got him some sparring last year with Viddal Riley," he said.

"He didn't look out of place. Obviously Viddal was at a higher level, but Connor held himself well and I know he impressed Viddal as well."

Maccarinelli is not the only experienced figure behind Williams, having introduced the boxer to former world title challenger Lockett.

Indeed, Williams' performances in Glasgow were enough to convince Lockett to get involved.

"Seeing Connor in the Commonwealth Games, I realised what a good fighter he was," Lockett said.

"You always want to work with very good fighters and Connor showed the quality he brings to the table."

Lockett was equally impressed by the man outside the ring.

"He's a very nice person and that made me want to work with him even more. We get on very well.

"He's a lovely boy. I'm really happy to be working with him. It's like I've known him for years."

Now, the focus is on securing the right platform for Williams' professional debut.

"With Connor, we don't really want to go the small hall route. We want him to go with a big promoter and we're in the process of doing that," said Lockett.

There are still medical checks and British Boxing Board of Control requirements to complete, but "the end of November" has been identified as an early target for his first professional bout.

Williams is also expected to fight at the newly-introduced light cruiserweight division, a 13.5 stone weight Lockett believes will suit the Welshman.

With Maccarinelli and Lockett guiding the next stage of his career, Williams has two vastly experienced figures in his corner.

Maccarinelli, Swansea's only world champion, believes there is added significance in their partnership.

"When I've got a local boy, the same weight as myself, it's always interesting to see a boy become good," he said.

"Connor wants to become another world champion being trained by Swansea's first. It's the history there."

Williams shares that vision.

"I think it would just be a great story. Swansea's champion creating the next one," the boxer said.

And while his professional journey is only just beginning, Lockett feels the next chapter is Williams' to write.

"I'm sure Connor will be aiming towards world titles," he said.

"When I saw him boxing in the Games he was very good and, with Enzo behind him, who knows?

"Maybe he could go on to become Swansea's second world champion. It'd be quite a story, wouldn't it?"