Boxing: Liam Cameron says fight against Lyndon Arthur is a ‘fresh start’ after alcohol problems

Warning: This article contains an account of alcohol abuse.

Sheffield boxer Liam Cameron celebrated two years sober in January.

Three years ago, he was in the depths of despair, banned from boxing and drinking heavily.

One night he woke up in an ambulance after an “overdose”. He would then lose his stepdaughter, Tiegan, in a car accident in 2021.

“I was basically killing myself with alcohol,” Cameron told BBC Radio Sheffield.

“I remember three years ago we had no electricity in the house and I was that skint.

“Having a drinking problem. The loss of Tiegan in a tragic death.

“That absolutely destroyed the family. To come back from those things, it shows you what my character is.”

The winner moves into big fights and into the conversation for major titles.

Cameron, 33, retired from boxing in 2019 when his appeal against a four-year doping ban was rejected.

The middle one has since tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolic acid that comes from cocaine.

The untimely end of his boxing career sparked a long period of depression for Cameron.

He felt the decision “wasn’t right”, but at his lowest point he found a purpose in boxing.

“It was hard, so hard,” he said.

“(Drinking) was killing me slowly. Boxing saved me again. I don’t think I’ll ever drink anything again.”

Cameron returned to the gym and last October defeated Robbie Connor on points after a five-year absence from the ring.

His recent stoppage wins, his first since 2017, have earned him a shot at Arthur and Cameron believes a win over the experienced light heavyweight would be a “career highlight”.

“Once you’ve mastered not drinking, you can master anything,” Cameron said.

“I could get a massive contract if I win this fight. I could be in a big money fight.”

The two losses in Arthur’s 25-fight record were to national rival Anthony Yarde in 2021 and to unified champion Dmitry Bivol last December.

Regardless of his impressive comeback story, Cameron, who has 23 wins and five losses, will be a big upset against Arthur.

But he says he won’t be bothered by the challenge.

“It’s like a fresh start (for me),” Cameron said.

“We are two men with two arms at the end of the day.”