by James Slater – It has been reported on Frank Warren’s official web site that the February 13th British heavyweight title fight between defending champ Danny Williams and unbeaten challenger Derek Chisora is off. Williams has pulled out of the fight, giving a viral condition as the reason. Promoter Warren is quite miffed at how the 36-year-old, who was originally set to face Sam Sexton, who pulled out injured, has “left Chisora in the lurch.”
Apparently, there were concerns about Danny’s frame of mind in the lead up to the February fight, when “The Brixton Bomber” failed to turn up at the press conference to officially announce his clash with Chisora – Williams having agreed to face the 25-year-old instead of the unavailable Sexton..
“It’s very disappointing and frustrating after last weeks antics (not showing up at the press conf.) for Danny to once again pull out of the fight leaving Derek in the lurch,” Warren said via his web site.
Reported on Frank Warren.tv is how the February “Night of The Champions” bill in London will still go ahead, with Chisora now set to face one of two fighters (as yet unnamed) who have already beaten Williams in the past.
“I am working hard for Derek who has trained his heart out for his British title opportunity. The two boxers I am negotiating with have beaten Danny already,” Warren continued.
So, who will it be that “Del Boy,” as Chisora calls himself, faces next month instead.
Matt Skelton – who was originally set to face Chisora before the young contender got the Williams fight instead – is an obvious choice. Skelton, who was already in training for Chisora and could presumably get himself into top shape for Feb. 13th, out-pointed Williams back in the summer of 2006. Another fighter who springs to mind upon reading Warren’s statement that the two men he is negotiating with have beaten Williams, is Michael Sprott.
Sprott last fought in June of last year, losing a decision to Alexander Ustinov, and maybe he is looking at taking a crack at Chisora. Audley Harrison would also be a prime candidate to land the gig next month, but he has a European title fight with Albert Sosnowski scheduled for April.
There is at least a little bit of good news in the fact that the show will still go ahead next month ( good news especially for those fans who have bought tickets already), and Chisora against either of the two heavies I’ve mentioned (if he does indeed face either Skelton as originally planned or Sprott) is a good fight.
What Williams does in the near future is another issue altogether, though.