Jai Williams ready for Jag challenge in the ring

By Jordan Gerrans

Jai Williams registered a career-best 86 victories last season and the apprentice hoop says he is ready for his next challenge of stepping into the boxing ring against fellow rider Jag Guthmann-Chester on Wednesday evening.

The Gold Coast-based jockeys will battle it out on the undercard of the David Nyika and Jai Opetaia bout at the Gold Coast Convention and Entertainment Centre.

The 26-year-old Guthmann-Chester has plenty of experience in the squared circle and Williams understands he has a massive task on his hands.

But, the impressive apprentice jockey has a reach and height advantage on Guthmann-Chester, which he thinks may be an advantage come Wednesday.

Regardless of the final result, Williams believes the opportunity for the two jockeys to compete on the high-profile card will be a positive for their racing careers.

“Me being an apprentice, it is a pretty big thing to go into something like this,” Williams said.

“It is good promotion and to get my name out there a little bit. It is good to show the racing side and the boxing side because there are people who like both sports, people who are fans of racing and boxing. I am pretty excited.

“Hopefully more people will know who I am because of doing this.”

After posting 86 wins last term, Williams has already collected 20 victories in the 2024-25 campaign.

He piloted a winning double at Lismore on Sunday.

Guthmann-Chester has been much more prominent on the city circuit this season, striking up a close partnership with the Sears barn and progressive stayer Beau Dazzler in recent weeks.

The 20-year-old Williams is biding his time to join Guthmann-Chester riding at metropolitan meetings, which is likely to come when the 2025-26 campaign commences.

“I am getting plenty of support but I do not have any claim left in the provincials or at country meetings,” Williams said.

“It is a bit tougher now as I need to use my head more in races and try and do little things that are different to being an apprentice.

“I need to ride a bit smarter like a senior so I can get ready for riding in the metro area hopefully next season.

“Hopefully me riding with no claim like I am now will have an impact when I do go to town.

“I will get to town with three kilograms of claim and hopefully have a crack and make a name for myself.”

Williams and Guthmann-Chester were schooled on the sweet science from former hoop Brodie Loy through his Elite Jockey Services program in 2024.

Leading into Wednesday's bout, Williams has been training overtime with his brother Kerron Williams, who is a renowned Muay Thai fighter in the Sunshine State.

Combat sports have always been an interest and passion of Williams' and he is keen to put his demanding training schedule into practice on the big stage. 

“Ever since I was a little kid I did a bit of boxing or Muay Thai,” the apprentice hoop said.

“It was never too serious, just a bit of fun. It runs in the family a bit with my brother.

“I have been training with my brother three days a week, two hours’ at a time – doing five or six rounds against different fighters just to get a taste of what it is like to be behind a solid punch and a quick mover.

“I have been learning against all different types of fighters and aspects of being in the ring.”

Guthmann-Chester fought premier Brisbane hoop Ryan Maloney back in 2021 as part of the “Fight For a Cause” concept at the Royal International Convention Centre at RNA Showgrounds.

Fight For a Cause partnered with the Mental Awareness Foundation, who support charities that are working directly with communities who are implementing strategies to raise awareness of depression and mental illness, while supporting the preservation of life.

Guthmann-Chester and Williams were busy on Tuesday at their weigh-in for their bout as well as all the photography and media commitments that come along with the event.

The apprentice hoop described his opponent as ‘slick’ in the ring and is looking forward to the opportunity.

“I am a little bit nervous because Jag is known as a good fighter and can hold his hands up,” Williams said.

“Even if I do not win, I will be happy to go the four rounds and give it back to him while showing I can hold them up myself and be competitive.”

There is no rest for Williams as he heads over the border on Thursday afternoon for four rides at Ballina.