Is this wise?

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 20 Jan 2004, 12:12

By Richard Maynard

British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion DANNY WILLIAMS insists his body punching against challenger MICHAEL SPROTT will be perfect this Saturday at the Wembley Conference Centre thanks to a specialised training regime.
Williams believes that Sprott was faking the low blows in their controversial second fight last September, when the Reading man complained that Williams landed three punches below the belt before being stopped in the fifth round.
To prepare for the third encounter, the Brixton puncher and his trainer Jimmy McDonnell have made sparring partners hold their hands high to expose the body so that Williams can work on delivering precise body shots.
Williams said, "Sprott thinks I will be scared to throw body punches again following the controversy in our last fight. If anything I have been working on them even more. My sparring partners have been holding their hands high so that I can practice on delivering pin-point body shots. There is no power involved, I’m just working on the speed, accuracy and conditioning. Not one of my sparring partners has said that I have strayed low in over 30 rounds of sparring. In addition to this, Jimmy has also drawn targets on the punchbags specialising on certain body areas. My body punching will be perfect on the night and I am confident of knocking Sprott out."
He continued: "Sprott can’t win on ability and once I start landing with the big punches my concern is that he will be looking for the easy way out again. I maintain that my body punches were spot on last time, it was just that his shorts were high which made the punches look low and he made a meal out of it as he was going to get beat. I will make sure that the referee is aware of how high his shorts are this time so he does not pull the same trick."
Williams finished by saying: "I will take great delight in beating Sprott again and this will be the most satisfying victory of the three fights. I hope that it is the body punches that finish him off as everyone will see that I play by the rules."

Danny seems determined to go to the brink in this third fight, almost as if he wants to convince everyone that the low blows in the second fight were not low at all. This is a dangerous mindset. He should just concentrate on winning the fight as opposed to trying to prove something. Marvin Hagler tried to prove something against Sugar Ray Leonard.

Priff · Post by **Priff** » 20 Jan 2004, 12:25

Well, if Sprott happens to hold his hands up high, I guess Danny is in for an early night.

It would appear that Danny has conceeded that his natural game plan (if he has one, does he have one?) is just not up to the task. Expect a fixated and one-dimensional Danny.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 20 Jan 2004, 13:17

Sounds a bit of a weird training strategy, especialy letting Sprott know in advance what his tactics are going to be. Maybe he's bluffing and is planning on clobbering Sprott on the chin.

Either way, I still think Sprott is going to be staring up at the ring lights on Sat night.

JimStone · Post by **JimStone** » 20 Jan 2004, 13:24

I read this as Danny trying his hand at Poker, it's a bluff job.

He's working on the theory that if he says ''body shots'' often enough Sprott will go into the fight so concerned about his ribs getting cracked he'll leave his chin exposed for a dose of the sleep hammer.

JimStone · Post by **JimStone** » 20 Jan 2004, 13:28

My post looks like a copy of MW's.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 20 Jan 2004, 13:49

Williams will stop Sprott i would think, Sprott has little more to offer than he already has in the first two fights even though he is an improved fighter. If Sprott wins then can we expect a fourth contest?!

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 20 Jan 2004, 14:28

I wouldnt want to see a fourth contest...regardless of who wins.