BoxRec

Is not on the cards but the sound of it!





Not ready to hang up gloves

Feb 2 2007

By Raj Johal


RICHARD 'The Secret' Williams says he is not ready to hang up his gloves yet.

The Stockwell fighter, a former Commonwealth and IBO champion at light-middleweight, lost his British middleweight title showdown with Battersea's Howard Eastman just before Christmas.

But despite the 12th round knockout defeat, 35-year-old Williams says he doesn't feel his number's up yet.

The boxing game may be synonymous with fighters making Rocky-style comebacks and not knowing when to call it a day.

But Williams says he doesn't fall into that category. "I'd be very surprised if I never fought again," said Williams.


Story continues Continue story
ADVERTISEMENT

"Although in truth I haven't sat down with my promoter Barry Hearn and discussed where I go from here.

"I have to see if they find any options for me - and I mean decent fights. People will say 'Where does Richard Williams go from here?' But I still love boxing and I'd love to fight again.

"No-one said I looked a shot fighter against Howard, who is a world-class operator and fought a good fight against me.

"I never disgraced myself - it's no shame losing to Howard. And it was my first fight at middleweight against a genuine live fighter and I was encouraged by my display, despite the loss.

"After the fight I felt healthy and still upbeat - something that never happened during my light-middleweight days - even when I'd won.

"It's fair enough people retiring when they're fed up of the game, or for health reasons. But that's not the case with me.

"I've still got all my faculties. It's not as if I'm slurring my speech or staggering around the ring. I still feel sharp and I think I can still give a lot of the better boxers at this weight a good contest. So, why should I quit?" Having said that, Williams knows he will have to be fully dedicated when he does get back in the ring.

"Boxers don't always know when to quit,"he said. "But I still love the training and the buzz of boxing.

"I do work full-time now and it's getting tougher to put the hours in training. But I'm also more experienced now, which balances things out a bit."

Williams is a community warden with Southwark council by day,and has a family to think about.

"I've not made loads of money boxing and the financial aspect is a factor - it always is," he admitted. "But I've got two boys. I'm a parent and I'd like to put a bit aside for their futures."

Despite his age, Williams has only fought 26 times in a 10-year career. He has suffered from illness, though, with a bout of shingles hampering his career.

And he took a sabbatical from November 2004 until February 2006, but won his two other fights last year and his sharp technical skills remain in tact.

He's in rude health now and with a record of 21 wins, four defeats and one draw from his 26 pro bouts, feels he has unfinished business.

"I've only had 26 fights in my career so I'm still relatively fresh," insisted Williams. "People close to me feel the Eastman fight was a decent display and keep saying 'When are you fighting again?'

"Nobody's said 'Pack it all in now'. I've had good feedback but, more importantly, I feel happy within myself and want to fight on.

"But who knows, Matchroom and Barry Hearn may have had enough of me? They might say I've got nowhere to go - although, right now, I'd disagree with that."

So, The Secret's not out just yet.

Shame he didn't quite fulfil his potential. One of those fighters who when they were 'on' were very hard to beat.

His inactivity really cost him over the years and he was never able to sustain his momentum – a case of two steps forward one back perhaps.

Always comes across as a genuinely decent person too. When you think some of the tossers who get blessed with all-time great talent (ie Floyd Mayweather Jnr).

Whatever he does I hope it's for the right reasons but at British level he's a match for anyone out there. No British fighter has put up such resistance against Eastman, that's for sure.

DIRT SUGAR wrote:Shame he didn't quite fulfil his potential. One of those fighters who when they were 'on' were very hard to beat.

His inactivity really cost him over the years and he was never able to sustain his momentum – a case of two steps forward one back perhaps.

Always comes across as a genuinely decent person too. When you think some of the tossers who get blessed with all-time great talent (ie Floyd Mayweather Jnr).

Whatever he does I hope it's for the right reasons but at British level he's a match for anyone out there. No British fighter has put up such resistance against Eastman, that's for sure.

I agree 100%.

I doubt RW would continue for crap money and opportunities.

Amazes me how Ted Bami and Michael Jones get opportunities that RW never had.

If Matchroom can nt give him what he needs then maybe FWANK WARREN Mobe /maloney can?.

Be good to see hm with the British and European before he calls it as day.


Personally I think he looked very good against Eastman and THAT verison of RW would be too much for thr Domestic bunch.

How good is the European Champ?.

Well Eastman is probably looking to move back into the world scene for one last run, so that pretty much leaves Williams top dog in the UK in his absence. (if he can still bring it back to that level)

As a few of you know i was ringside for the Eastman fight and Williams looked powerful and gave it a well gutsy effort. Would love to see him make some more money and fight for British and maybe European titles, he def gives the customer their moneys worth

I thought that Williams looked a bit laboured against Eastman, and again he run out of steam late on. As he did against Martinez.
I feel that if someone takes Williams to the late rounds 10-12 then they have a good chance of victory.
Over 6 rounds Williams looks a class act, but seems to lose his way after that.

i think richard should stay. he could still challenge at euro level and is nowhere near shot. i like and respect him, deserves a decent payday and a better promoter

I think there are still some good fights for him at the domestic level, Gary Lockett for instance, but I dont think he has the stamina/durability to go higher, he reminds me a bit of Errol Christie in that he seems to have all the moves and skills but lacks the durability against the higher class fighters... that said he is probably the best middleweight in Britain after Howard Eastman...

overhand_right wrote:Well Eastman is probably looking to move back into the world scene for one last run, so that pretty much leaves Williams top dog in the UK in his absence. (if he can still bring it back to that level)

As a few of you know i was ringside for the Eastman fight and Williams looked powerful and gave it a well gutsy effort. Would love to see him make some more money and fight for British and maybe European titles, he def gives the customer their moneys worth

Yes - I saw you looking like Craig David in acid!





Everytime your face was on the screen I gave you a kick!


Only joking!

LOL! Im gonna have to seek out the DVD, never seen it. Glad i got some screentime. Colin McMillan was off screen trying to stare me out. Clearly he thought i was some A list celeb (or just a weird looking pudendum who needed a slap).

overhand_right wrote:LOL! Im gonna have to seek out the DVD, never seen it. Glad i got some screentime. Colin McMillan was off screen trying to stare me out. Clearly he thought i was some A list celeb (or just a weird looking pudendum who needed a slap).

Most likely the latter.