Liam Williams has listed the reasons why he thinks Demetrius Andrade keeps on ducking him – even though he has become the mandatory challenger for the WBO middleweight title.

Williams (22-2-1, 17 KOs) has made a steady rise in the world rankings, winning all of his last six fights via stoppages, the last of them coming at the expense of American Atlantez Fox, who he stopped in the fifth round last December.

That emphatic victory enabled the Welsh star to earn a future title shot against Andrade (29-0, 18 KOs), but Williams thinks the American is scared to face him.

Williams said: “I don’t know what Andrade is playing at since I’m his mandatory challenger now. He has to fight me next or vacate the belt.

“It’s funny situation, but either way I’m fighting for that title next—whether it’s against him or I could possibly fight Jaime Munguia. Either way, it’s gonna be a great fight whoever I end up facing.

“I honestly think if I face Andrade, I’ll be too much for him. I’m too fresh, too fit, too strong. I’m relentless and I don’t think he has the answers to what I’m gonna bring to the table.

“I’m doing my own thing. I’m doing some runs and bag work at home. A little bit of weights, and road bike also. I’m trying to keep some physical condition so when everything opens back up, it won’t take me long to get back into fighting shape.

“I’m having a great run at the moment. My last six fights have been stoppage victories and before the Liam Smith losses, I was on an eight-fight knockout streak. I’m on a great run and I honestly believe that run is going to continue when I fight Andrade for the world title and I fully believe that I’m going to stop him.”