Wilson vs Piala Predictions: Phoenix Wilson reaches for glory once again

Former world title challenger Liam Wilson fights for another crack at the big time this Friday, January 16. The 29-year-old will be keenly aware that nothing but a victory will do against Rodex Piala. The super featherweight showdown serves as the co-main event for Nikita Tszyu at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall, Australia. Kayo Sports carry the domestic broadcast, with no information on UK or US showings at press time.

Read further for my Wilson vs Piala predictions.

Wilson vs Piala Odds

Wilson is priced at 2/7 to pick up the expected victory. Piala is your 3/1 underdog while the draw is on the market at 16/1. If they do draw, it will be the first stalemate of each man’s career.

Wilson vs Piala Betting Tips

• Wilson to win @ 2/7

*odds correct at time of publishing

Wilson vs Piala Fight Preview

Wilson knows how to bounce back from disappointment. A brutal defeat to New Zealand’s Joe Noynay in 2021 saw him hit the ground four times before the bout was waved off in the fifth round. In his very next outing, Wilson KO’ed his conqueror in two rapid-fire rounds.

Following that chastening defeat, Wilson went on to earn a crack at the vacant WBO super featherweight strap. Emanuel Navarrete had too much for him in Glendale, Arizona, finishing the Aussie in nine rounds. But Wilson had the big favourite on the canvas himself in round four. It was a show of force, even if said force was not of the world-beating variety.

Undeterred, Wilson embarked on another rebuild. One that brought a pair of points wins over Carlos Maria Alanis and Jackson Jon England. Those solid victories scored Wilson a shot at Oscar Valdez’s interim WBC super featherweight gong.

Once again, Wilson was found wanting at world level. Back at the Glendale Arena where Navarrete had finished him, the Australian saw another world title slip through his fingers as Valdez knocked him out in seven sessions.

From the outside looking in, it feels like Wilson has a natural ceiling. He is a solid contender who was never destined to be a champion. But high-level sports people don’t think like that. They can’t think like that. After all, what is the theme of Wilson’s career if it is not resurrection?

So post-Valdez, the theme continues to ring true. Wilson has won four fights with two stoppages since his second Arizona disappointment. He has climbed to third in the WBO world rankings and 12th with the IBF. Whether you think Wilson can buck the trend and secure a world title or you believe the 29-year-old is doomed to serve as a boxing bridesmaid, you cannot deny that his powers of reinvention are Bowie-esque.

Can Piala bring about the unfortunate end of Ziggy and his Spiders from Mars? Doubtful. The Filipino calls himself ‘The Tank’, but if you were waging war you would be doomed with just one KO’s worth of firepower from 12 victories. 

Piala can fight though. He was competitive in his only defeat, to world-ranked Japanese talent Kenji Fujita in 2024. Two wins have followed, with a 12-round nod over Yeerjialahasi Laayibieke the pick of the pair. The 30-year-old has the minerals, but not the fundamentals, to beat Wilson.

Friday is a destination for Piala. A chance to claim a scalp he is unlikely to better. But for Wilson, this fight is a means to an end. A branch on the climb towards the top of the super featherweight tree. Will this last ascent see Wilson keep his footing, or is he doomed to plummet like his previous attempts?

Wilson vs Piala Full Card

Nikita Tszyu vs Michael Zerafa

Liam Wilson vs Rodex Piala

Blake Wells vs Ainiwaer Yilixiati

Stevan Ivic vs Liam Talivaa

Demsey McKean vs Toese Vousiutu

Max Reeves vs Sonny Abid

Billy Polkinghorn vs Jomar Paliwen

Nelson Asofa-Solomona vs Jeremy Latimore

Jack Javed vs Zephy Vaotu'ua

Wilson vs Piala Prediction

This looks like the sort of task where Wilson thrives. Usually, it takes a world class fighter to knock him off his stride. I believe a lack of fear when it comes to Piala’s power will see Wilson run riot in Brisbane. I make the former title challenger my pick at 2/7.

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