Klitchsko / Williams London press conf today

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 14 Oct 2004, 07:22

Tyson tactic is crucial for Danny's giant task

By David Smith, Evening Standard
14 October 2004

Danny Williams believes he could be just nine minutes - the equivalent of three rounds of hard boxing - from realising a dream of becoming world heavyweight champion.

His challenge for the WBC title held by giant Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko was set to be confirmed later today when the two men were scheduled to meet at a press conference in London.

They will go head-to-head at the Madison Square Garden arena in New York on Saturday 11 December when Williams will seek to prove his recent shock win over Mike Tyson was not a fluke.

Crucially, the 31-year-old from Brixton knows that, just as with Tyson, he will have to weather an early storm if he is to cut the 6ft 7in Klitschko down to size.

Williams, who had a two inch height advantage over Tyson but will be giving away six inches to the Los Angeles-based champion, said: "As in the Tyson fight, the first three rounds will be the most dangerous for me. I've got to get inside those long arms."

He has already begun preparing for the fight with trainer Jim McDonnell, whose tactics proved so effective against Tyson in Louisville nearly three months ago.

Williams said: "We'll be looking to use a sort of Tyson style, coming in behind a good head movement, hands held high and throwing big body shots that will weaken Klitschko so I can take him out in the later rounds.

"I've no more qualms about fighting Klitschko than I had about fighting Tyson. He's good, but slow and robotic with suspect stamina. And he gets tagged, as we saw against Lennox Lewis and Corrie Sanders."

Klitschko, 33, lost to Lewis in June last year when he suffered severe cuts to his left eye. When Lewis subsequently announced his retirement from the ring, Klitschko and Sanders fought for the vacant WBC title in April.

It was a cracking brawl with southpaw Sanders nearly scoring a sensational win in the first round when he caught his stiff opponent with a booming left.

But Williams and McDonnell will have taken note of the way Klitschko came back to send 38-yearold Sanders into retirement with an eighth-round stoppage.

Williams and McDonnell are working out at a gym in Essex but at the start of next month they move to the United States where they may base themselves at the Philadelphia gym run by former world champion Tim Witherspoon.

Lewis is expected to be ringside on fight night, and Williams was delighted yesterday when his fellow Londoner gave him his backing against Klitschko.

But former British champion Julius Francis believes this may be a fight too far for Williams.

Francis speaks from experience, having won and lost against Williams and been stopped in just two rounds by Klitschko when they met back in 1998.

He said: "I'm not sure this is a good move for Danny.

"Klitschko has proved he can punch, and that he can take a punch. People say he has a stamina problem but he's stopped a lot of opponents late and he fought Lennox Lewis at a terrific pace for six rounds before the cuts stopped him.

"I think he wasn't up for his last fight against Corrie Sanders. Hopefully, he won't be up for Danny, but he starts favourite."

lirva33 · Post by **lirva33** » 14 Oct 2004, 09:11

I think Dannyboy get's destroyed in this one. He has to come in much lighter than the Tyson fight, thats for sure.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 14 Oct 2004, 09:24

But he's comfortable at the higher weight and I think it helps him. He doesn't want to give too much weight away as he is gonna be spending a lot of time on the inside. He isn't gonna be dancing around now is he

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 14 Oct 2004, 10:07

I reckon he should come in a little lighter than he was for the last fight, and working on flexibility would be a good idea. He needs to be able to bob and weave under the long shots of Vitali to get inside. Then he needs to be able to throw enough shots to keep Vitali on the back foot. Bang the body shots in there,

If he can turn Vitali, he's got a good chance, because Vitali is a stand-up straight on fighter, he uses the angles very rarely, If Danny can stay half a pace ahead of Vitali, he's got a good chance of keeping Vitali off balance.

The problem comes if after 4 or 5 rounds, Danny hasn't made an impression, and Vitali has already landed some big shots. Although Vitali doesn't have great punching technique, when you're that size, it doesn't really matter a great deal.

The big question mark is whether or not he can hurt Vitali and keep him hurt. Vitali seems to have great powers of recovery, and is good at hanging on when hurt, unlike Tyson who tends to fall apart if someone keeps him under pressure. All 3 of Tyson's KO losses were almost identical. Tyson standing centre ring getting drilled with about 20 successive shots until he gets hammered to the canvas. Tyson's never shown the ability to rally once hurt and kept hurt. Vitali on the other hand took massive shots off of Lewis, and kept on coming. I think though that Danny may be able to tag him with more shots than Lewis could muster at that stage. Lewis threw so few shots per round in that fight.

Danny has to get under that jab, and if he comes in too bulky that will be easier said than done.

C'mon Danny!

Loynesy · Post by **Loynesy** » 14 Oct 2004, 10:12

I hate to be negative about such a likeable chap but I suspect it will be Vitali very early - Tyson was very close to stopping Williams in the first round.

BubiScholz · Post by **BubiScholz** » 14 Oct 2004, 10:17

Loynesy wrote:I hate to be negative about such a likeable chap but I suspect it will be Vitali very early - Tyson was very close to stopping Williams in the first round.

more than 5 rounds will be a surprise for Williams.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 14 Oct 2004, 10:18

Tyson is a damn sight quicker than Vitali is though. I think that Danny has a better chance of evading Vitali's work. Remember, he tried to outjab Tyson, but found that Tyson was too quick at ducking under, I cannot see the lumbering Vitali doing the same.

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 14 Oct 2004, 10:27

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Tyson is a damn sight quicker than Vitali is though. I think that Danny has a better chance of evading Vitali's work. Remember, he tried to outjab Tyson, but found that Tyson was too quick at ducking under, I cannot see the lumbering Vitali doing the same.

I agree.

Cant see Danny being in early trouble like he was against Mike.

Vitali IS slow and cumbersome, and Tyson probably hits harder than Vitali, even the shell of Tyson.

He is also durable and well conditioned.

Tough fight for Danny but he is able to win it

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 14 Oct 2004, 10:32

Good fight for Danny this. He feels no pressure because everyone expects him to lose (certainly the Americans). That's when he's at his most dangerous. Anything could happen in this fight.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 14 Oct 2004, 10:45

Loynesy wrote:I hate to be negative about such a likeable chap but I suspect it will be Vitali very early - Tyson was very close to stopping Williams in the first round.

But Tyson's the best first round fighter in the game, and Vitali is essentialy a cautious fighter. I think we'll see him sizing up Williams for a few rounds.

Interesting comments by Lewis:

"Danny Williams should also definitely, definitely go to Vitali Klitschko's body. He has a stamina problem and as he takes deeper breaths you can really hurt him to the body.

"When I fought Klitschko I didn't think I was getting to him with the body shots at first but, later on in the rounds, I realised that he becomes very vulnerable to them in the second, third minute of the rounds."

And the All New Williams website

http://www.dannywilliams.tv/dannywillia ... N=93557831

JimStone · Post by **JimStone** » 14 Oct 2004, 11:52

A few pictures from today:

JimStone · Post by **JimStone** » 14 Oct 2004, 11:55

You might get 'Red X's'. Hit refresh and the pictures should come up, if they don't just right click - properties - copy URL - paste into your search bar - press enter.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 14 Oct 2004, 12:06

You forget how HUGE Vitali really is, until you see him dwarfing a big guy like Danny.
Genuine big fight for UK fans for a change, real title on the line too.
New York at Christmas - I'd love to be there.

J · Post by J » 14 Oct 2004, 12:08

THINK KEVIN IS PLANNING TO BE LUCKY BAR STEWARD

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 14 Oct 2004, 12:14

J wrote:THINK KEVIN IS PLANNING TO BE LUCKY BAR STEWARD

Is he?! Fantastic...December's an expensive time to go though. Can't imagine it'll sell too much with the NY crowd - a few 1000 Brits maybe, plus Vitali's fellow ex pats

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 14 Oct 2004, 12:14

Klitschko's suit comes courtesy of East Street Market.

sweetscience · Post by **sweetscience** » 14 Oct 2004, 12:17

that is some size difference

Chris the fighter · Post by **Chris the fighter** » 14 Oct 2004, 12:18

Jeez Klitschko is huge just how tall is he compared to Williams.
Praise to Warren as well he got Danny the Tyson fight and now a world title fight. He gets some deserved stick but credit where its due he delivered this time.

J · Post by J » 14 Oct 2004, 12:18

MightyWarrior wrote:
J wrote:THINK KEVIN IS PLANNING TO BE LUCKY BAR STEWARD
Is he?! Fantastic...December's an expensive time to go though. Can't imagine it'll sell too much with the NY crowd - a few 1000 Brits maybe, plus Vitali's fellow ex pats

think so all things being well, ill be having a shin dig at mine I think, its 6 days b4 I go to singapore thailand (not as a sex tourist before anyone starts) and Oz for a month.

hopefully there might be somink on at the york hall then all pile back to mine for the big one.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 14 Oct 2004, 12:19

bennie wrote:Klitschko's suit comes courtesy of East Street Market.

Danny wins the battle of the suits alright.

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 14 Oct 2004, 12:49

MightyWarrior wrote:
J wrote:THINK KEVIN IS PLANNING TO BE LUCKY BAR STEWARD
Is he?! Fantastic...December's an expensive time to go though. Can't imagine it'll sell too much with the NY crowd - a few 1000 Brits maybe, plus Vitali's fellow ex pats

I know especially when the missus wants to come too!

Kev

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 14 Oct 2004, 12:50

Kevin wrote:
MightyWarrior wrote:
J wrote:THINK KEVIN IS PLANNING TO BE LUCKY BAR STEWARD
Is he?! Fantastic...December's an expensive time to go though. Can't imagine it'll sell too much with the NY crowd - a few 1000 Brits maybe, plus Vitali's fellow ex pats
I know especially when the missus wants to come too!

Kev

Of course, there's shopping to be done!

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 14 Oct 2004, 13:16

i am going in kevin suit case

MMug shots galour

8)

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 14 Oct 2004, 13:20

I have no room for Ricky's protector though!

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 14 Oct 2004, 13:28

i wont bring it then :P