Connor Williams: Commonwealth silver medalist fulfils ambition to be professional boxer

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.”