'A Nightmare For Opponents, The "Touch of Sleep" Is Back!

06.01 - Uncasville, Conn: The 2003 season of ESPN2's 'Friday Night Fights' series will get off with a bang when 6'4", 215lbs. DaVarryl 'Touch of Sleep' Williamson (17-1, 16) meets 5'11", 220lbs southpaw Robert Wiggins (17-1-1, 10) in a ten round main event on Friday, January 10, 2003 live from the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

In what is becoming a rare event, this bout will feature two heavyweight contenders willing to match their advanced skills and comparable records in order to position themselves for a world title opportunity. Williamson firmly cemented his status as one of the division's elite punchers when he felled 6'6", 313lbs Corey 'T-Rex' Sanders in a July 2002 ESPN2 bout. The 'Touch of Sleep' will be looking to start the New Year off with a bang. "Stylistically, some people don't like to fight southpaws, but I don't mind. I've had a lot of experience fighting them in the amateur ranks, and I am quite comfortable with them." said Williamson

If anyone needs proof of Williamson's comfort level against southpaws, they need to look no further than the third-round TKO over rugged southpaw, Dale Crowe in May 2002. Williamson dropped Crowe three times in the first and twice more in the third before the fight was stopped. "Most southpaws are vulnerable to a straight right hand, and lucky for me, my right hand is my bread-n-butter shot" said Williamson.

Wiggins, is a lesser-known heavyweight, but reminds many of Ray Mercer, in that he can both deliver and take a punch, though the knock on him is that he takes too many shots in order to deliver one of his own. Wiggins is coming off two straight KO victories, but perhaps his biggest win to date was a surprising KO victory over then undefeated Eric Kirkland in late 2001. The only blemish on Wiggins' record was a fourth round stoppage to rising heavyweight, Derek Bryant, a fight that was stopped due to severe swelling around Wiggins' left eye.

Williamson feels that 2003 will be his year. "I'm in a rush, but I know I have the goods. I'd love a title shot in the next year, but if people think I'm ready, I'll take my shot earlier."

With a win streak that now stands at fourteen, the last twelve by KO, Williamson certainly has the goods to back up his expectations.

For more information on DaVarryl Williamson, please visit www.touchofsleep.com and www.dbe1.com

Tickets are $25 & $45 and are available by calling 1-800-477-6849

The ESPN2 telecast will air Friday, January 10, 2003 at 10:30pm (Eastern Standard Time)