As Derek Williams now seems to be a regular on the Sky Sports team I was thinking about his career. He has a lot of defeats on his record but if memory serves me correct he was actually very talented. The two fights I have seen recently of Williams do not give me the best understanding of his ability (as they were blow outs - Lennox Lewis and Jimmy Thunder).
I'm sure I heard Paul Dempsey call him a triple title holder (which is wrong) but I didn't realise he won the European title. In this day an age of heavyweights, how far would have Williams gone.
Any info would be appreicated.
Derek Williams.
He wasn't much cop. He went over to the States as a big domestic prospect in 1989 and they put him in with trialhorse Mark Wills, who you beat if you're going somewhere and lose to if you're not.
Wills won on points.
Derek returned home and got really lucky when he beat a washed-up Hughroy Currie for the vacant European title...Currie really was shot. Williams lost it in his first defence to Jean Chanet in France. Chanet was bald, fat and old, and it seemed incomprehensible the massive Williams could lose to him. He came back complaining about being drugged and got himself a rematch - and the underrated Chanet did him a second time!
Ironically, Williams scored his best win a fight later when he crushed Jimmy Thunder in two rounds, though Thunder was quite inexperienced at the time.
And that was really it. Lewis destroyed him in three rounds and the slow slide began.
Wills won on points.
Derek returned home and got really lucky when he beat a washed-up Hughroy Currie for the vacant European title...Currie really was shot. Williams lost it in his first defence to Jean Chanet in France. Chanet was bald, fat and old, and it seemed incomprehensible the massive Williams could lose to him. He came back complaining about being drugged and got himself a rematch - and the underrated Chanet did him a second time!
Ironically, Williams scored his best win a fight later when he crushed Jimmy Thunder in two rounds, though Thunder was quite inexperienced at the time.
And that was really it. Lewis destroyed him in three rounds and the slow slide began.
I remember Williams getting quite a bit of hype at one time, unfortubatly he never quite lived up to it.
I do remember I think in the Chanet rematch in France the was a huge riot halfway through the fight. Chanet was a traveler/fairground worker who had a rough following so I assume they clashed with the British in the crowd.
I believe former Champ Horice Notice was in Williams corner that night and recieved a horrible cut on his head from I assume one of the many flying chairs being thrown around.
Chanet's son is now a pro Heavyweight I think.
I do remember I think in the Chanet rematch in France the was a huge riot halfway through the fight. Chanet was a traveler/fairground worker who had a rough following so I assume they clashed with the British in the crowd.
I believe former Champ Horice Notice was in Williams corner that night and recieved a horrible cut on his head from I assume one of the many flying chairs being thrown around.
Chanet's son is now a pro Heavyweight I think.