Danny Williams

[gobbles]

Excellent Danny Williams piece by Mark Staniforth

http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news ... ml&BID=543

WILLIAMS FIGHTS ON FOR LOVE OF BOXING
By Mark Staniforth, Press Association Sport


Seven years ago Danny Williams battered a fading Mike Tyson to a fourth-round defeat in Louisville and was afforded a brief glimpse of the fighting fame he had craved since he first laced on the gloves as an eight-year-old.

Williams' win over Tyson catapulted him onto US TV talk-shows and ultimately into a shot at the WBC heavyweight title at the posh end of the Las Vegas Strip - resulting in a painful beating by the heavy hands of Vitali Klitschko.

That fleeting fame has long passed, and with it any hope Williams may have retained of muscling back in on some kind of title picture.

But at the age of 37, the 'Brixton Bomber' insists he still is not done just yet.

Despite a series of retirement announcements, Williams, who lost his British heavyweight crown by second-round defeat to Dereck Chisora last May, will fight again next week against ageing Hungarian Laszlo Toth in Hamburg.

After his conclusive loss to Chisora, Williams claimed his name would never again be announced back into a boxing ring. And in that sense the always unpredictable Williams has kept his word: he's just changed his name.

When Williams fought German Frank Roth in Bielefeld in March, he did so not as Danny Williams, but as DPW. He fought on a Latvian boxing licence, having been persuaded by the British Board of Control not to re-apply in this country.

Williams didn't even tell his closest friends he was fighting Roth, and says he fought for free. Yet having secured his stated aim of not retiring on a loss - he beat the hopeless Roth by second-round stoppage - he realised it wasn't enough.

"I've been fighting since the age of eight and I love the sport too much to walk away," says Williams, who, incidentally, has never even been to Latvia.

Williams is also brutally honest about his fading talent.

"I'm a realist, not a fool," he said. "I know what skills I've got left and what level I can still box at. Because I'm now effectively a Latvian boxer, I've given up my right to fight for the British title. I'm just going to see where things take me."

There is no attempt to gloss over recent performances.

"I was a shot fighter when I fought Chisora," he admits. "The only reason he didn't knock me out in the first round was because he showed me too much respect.

"Guys like Chisora looked up to me when I was at my best because they knew I was a talented fighter. But my boxing had deteriorated so badly that they were able to beat me. They just had to realise it for themselves."

Williams' loss to Chisora was his third in four fights, having previously been stopped by Albert Sosnowski and outpointed by Carl Baker in the Prizefighter tournament. But if that sounds like another retirement announcement, think again.

"I've been training at my old amateur club, the Lynn in Peckham," he said. "They've given me a key and I go in there at night when the amateurs have gone home. People might be surprised how I look in my next fight."

There is certainly one thing to be said for Williams' decision to fight on. Having invested his money from the Klitschko fight wisely in property, he is not fighting for financial reasons. Nor is he under any delusions of last great hurrahs.

These, Williams insists, are the crucial points that separate him from the pile of fellow pros who fight on too long.

"I love it too much to finish," says Williams. "All I want to do is box. I have no desire to become a trainer or a promoter.

"All through my career I was hampered because I put far too much pressure on myself. Now that pressure has lifted and I know where I am in the sport. I'm enjoying it so much more.

"I just don't want to finish boxing yet. I love everything about it.

"I'm proud of what I achieved in my career, even if it's mixed with disappointment at never quite realising my dream of becoming world heavyweight champion. At least I'm able to say I came close."

It is the extraordinary, stormy night in Louisville that will linger longest in the memory. Williams withstood Tyson's huge bombs to score a famous triumph. But the new, brutally honest Williams is keen to put even his crowning glory in perspective.

"It was a massive achievement but I know deep down if he'd been at his best I wouldn't have lasted 10 or 20 seconds with him," he insists. "He was nothing like the guy who could have beaten everybody out there."

Maybe so. But Williams did enough that night, and many others, to ensure his permanent place in the affections of all true British boxing fans - whatever his name, whichever his country, and wherever his extraordinary career finally ends.

[BO Selecta]

Good article. 8)

It was such a strange fight, the Tyson fight.

Prior to & during the fight, I didn't think Williams had much of a chance.

I knew Tyson was a washed up shell of his former self, but I thought he'd have enough left to take Williams out, especially in the opening minutes as Tyson actually looked half decent, but by then end of the fight, I wasn't surprised by the result.

I know Tyson did bust his knee, but he had no stamina & had the heart beaten out of him, which was usual with his defeats.

I was glad for Williams that night, because he has always been one of those fighters that has given a lot to boxing, but not quite received the rewards of other contemporaries.

OK, I know some smart Alec is going to pipe up with the fact that Williams was often a fat *beep* who didn't train properly, but he's not the only fighter to have been guilty of this & he did give a lot to boxing.

[McCannW14]

Three things about Danny Williams are he is a true gentleman, a fighter with real guts and he was a very good fighter.

I wish him well.

[wesley05]

Danny has had his day ,good memories but he really should think of his health . If its the money then think "money's not everything" mate

[Trojans44]

He really should let go. Punches at any level do far more damage than we as boxing fans like to think. Fighting massively increases the chances of cognitive problems/illnesses later in life.

The template for all fighters should be to make as much money as possible, try and acheive your aims and get out as quickly as possible.

[stujones]

I mean this with the greatest of respect but he is a strange one. Doesn't need the cash but fighting with a latvian licence - cause he was told by the BBBoC that he might not get his licence renewed here, and whats with this DPW business - is he ashamed that he cannot let it go and in some denial.

I remember Danny often saying as a prospect that he didn't love the sport and was really boxing for his Dad who pushed him into it.

He'll bash over a few bums I'm guessing and then start believing that he is boxing better as the pressure is off, and will have another stab at it over here.....telling people he's back.

[DavidPayne]

Don't know....but isn't there an International Hevayweight Prizefighter next month? Does Latvian count?

[kevinmalpas]

Don't know....but isn't there an International Hevayweight Prizefighter next month? Does Latvian count?

he would not last 3 rounds with anyone half decent my payne

[ShadrachSimmo]

He musta knew they were't gonna renew his license over here hence the move to Latvia. I dont think he'd last 3 rounds with some of the lesser ranked opponents over here. He's had a good career he should call it a day.

[funso banjo baby]

promoter is an arsewipe scumbag !

[hurlock]

danny realises his resistance is gone yet he continues.i could understand if he never had a family. i think its selfish of him .

[palooka]

danny realises his resistance is gone yet he continues.i could understand if he never had a family. i think its selfish of him .

I agree to an extent though he may not have the luxury of decent alternative options. He may also have some delusional aspect to his reasoning; it is a real shame that he didn't retire a year or 2 before he did, (though his bills would have been paid and the standard of living he and his family were accustomed to could be maintained); I can't see a return bringing a great deal of success and it has the potential to bring a great deal of grief. Hope i'm wrong.

[tear up]

Three things about Danny Williams are he is a true gentleman, a fighter with real guts and he was a very good fighter.

I wish him well.

the guy s a british legend in my eyes

[SAPFO]

Out of interest, what is he being paid for these kind of fights?

[ERIC GUY]

Danny is coming to see me today, so I might ask him some of your questions.

[WelshDevil]

The Latvian Bomber. DD

[ERIC GUY]

Got Danny to chat about what he is up to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-mgQXbRmTc

[Scottrf]

I really like this guy, great heart and he seems to be under no illusions about his comeback.

[Coco]

Class act is Danny, great work Eric, unfortunately I think he is right about Haye too, I think all fighters understand about how hard it is to give up

[ILikeBeer]

Damn! That Tyson vs Williams match was seven years ago?

[ILikeBeer]

Danny has had his day ,good memories but he really should think of his health . If its the money then think "money's not everything" mate

What money? It said he fought for free. Okay, I assume that's not going to happen again. But it seems that he's become another fighter that doesn't want to retire. He likes the rush too much.

Did anybody see the Evander Holyfield fight on Eurosport the other week? Williams was commentating on it. The guy really has had an interesting career. British champion more then once, fought in arenas big and small. Tyson conquerer, got battered within an inch of his life against Klit. Won the British title back in a nothing arena in Wales. And is now fighting off in Germany, under license to a country he's never even been in.

The guy's life story would make an interesting read.

[funso banjo baby]

legend and throroughly nice guy

shouldnt fight again

promoter and manager are arsewipes

[exittored]

Got Danny to chat about what he is up to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-mgQXbRmTc

Thanks for this Eric

Williams was my fave British boxer of the 2000's even though he was bloody frustrating to follow most of the time but when he did something good it was usually worth the wait.

He's right about the Potter fight too, that's in my Top 10 of amazing things i've seen in a boxing ring.

[ILikeBeer]

legend and throroughly nice guy

shouldnt fight again

promoter and manager are arsewipes

Aren't they always?

[freddydoesdallas]

He should find someone to pen his memoirs and release them whilst looking to cash in on 'The Fighter' and get it made into a film