British Cruiserweight champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams is in bullish mood despite news his opponent for the defence of his title next week has changed.

Just before Christmas, Williams's original opponent, Tony Conquest, was forced to withdraw due to illness, which opened the door for Midlands Area Champ Shane McPhilbin to step up to the plate for a crack at the big one next Friday at York Hall.

But the change has not fazed the Streatham-based champion.

“I’m 110 per cent ready for the 13th, it doesn’t matter to me who they put in front of me, Johnny Eames and Barry Smith have been pushing me, working me hard and honing my skills for any eventuality.

"Had some great sparring over Christmas with Mitchell Balker, Menay Edwards and my new gym mate Paul David, the English Super Middleweight champion.

"Paul’s my new main sparring partner. He’s very awkward, very cagey. It would have been great to have had him here when I was preparing for Rob Norton.

"As I said, here at the TRAD TKO I have a great team around me, got plenty of great sparring partners and it’s all good, it’s almost perfect and the guy that’s fighting me now is gonna get crushed.

"I know nothing about him, as far as I’m concerned he’s just an opponent for me to beat up, I’m the Champion and I’m gonna stay the Champion, I’m gonna look so good on TV as I beat him up, yeaaah.”

Williams also spared a thought for this long-time friend Conquest.

“I hope Tony gets better soon," he said.

"I was really looking forward to us fighting each other again, as I’m sure he was.

“I’m sure he’ll get his chance again.”

Leon ‘Solid’ Williams versus Shane McPhilbin, for the British Cruiserweight title, headlines Francis and George Warren’s Queensberry Promotions first event of the New Year, which takes place at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 13th January 2012 and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky platform Channel 456 & Virgin 546) Tickets, Standard Seated - £40 and Ringside SOLD OUT for Williams vs. McPhilbin are available now on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com. Tickets are also available direct from the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.