23.08.06 – By James Slater: British heavyweight hope, Danny Williams has pulled out of his fight with Scott Gammer. The bout, to decide the British heavyweight championship, was to have been fought on October the thirteenth. But Williams, claiming he would not be in sufficiently good condition, has withdrawn from the contest. This is not the first time Danny has done such a thing. His first meeting with arch-rival, Matt Skelton also had to wait until the Brixton man felt he was a hundred percent ready.
The benefit of the doubt was given to him on this occasion. Danny, after-all, did claim to have flu. Still, he waited an inordinate amount of time before informing a dismayed Frank Warren that he wouldn’t be fighting. Now he has withdrawn his services from a bout again. And although this time he at least announced his intentions in sufficient time so as a replacement could be found for Gammer – who will now face Michael Steeds – this in itself is something of a puzzler. How does Danny know, some seven weeks before fight time, that he will not be ready? Seven weeks should be ample time – for a fit and determined athlete, anyway. One who is anxious to get his career back on track after a disappointing performance last time out.
But maybe that’s just the point. Does Danny Williams fit such a criteria any longer? The appallingly high weight he came into the ring at in the rematch with Skelton in July was not an amount of poundage a hard training boxer would bring to battle. And now, with the chance to get some respect back for his fighting talent – with a bout for a meaningful belt, Williams pulls out citing insufficient time to get prepared. It does make me wonder, what does Danny weigh at the present moment in time? It must be some hefty number of pounds, if he feels he cannot shift them with seven weeks of hard work.
Hard work? Maybe that’s a word that is no longer in Danny William’s vocabulary. As a result, I fear his career is destined to end with a distinct feeling of disappointment – not only for him, but for all those who had faith in him throughout his boxing profession. Such a notion was nonexistent a couple of years ago, when Danny was slaying the still legendary Mike Tyson. More and more, it looks like that result will be the highlight of Williams’ fighting life.