The Danny Williams Comeback: The Mike Tyson Conqueror Returns
By Damien Norman
Danny “The Brixton Bomber” Williams made a return to the ring on 5th March against journeyman Frank Roth in Germany.
Since Williams’ loss to Dereck Chisora, he was quoted stating he would not go out on a defeat even if he had to beat “Bob the builder” and that was what he did on the 5th!
Danny Williams is world renowned for being one of very few men to defeat the legendary “Iron” Mike Tyson and here in the UK known as one of the most courageous Heavyweights ever to step foot in the ring.
His career could be described as enigmatic, topsy-turvy or even inconsistent but whatever way you look at it boxing will probably never get a man with the courage and determination as the ‘Brixton Bomber’ had again.
When Williams was scheduled to take on John McDermott on 11th August at York hall, Bethall Green the expectation was that should Williams defeat McDermott he would go on to fight for a major World Title. McDermott picked up an injury and replacement Albert Sosnowski stepped in, knocking Williams out and ending all hope of the World Title shot.
After that night Williams boxing career went on a huge downward spiral and after a couple of defeats decided to call it a day. His final night in the ring was his British Title defense against Dereck Chisora in which Williams admitted he was shot and didn’t even train or prepare for the fight, and after this he promised we would never hear the ring announcer say the name “Danny Williams” again, a promise that he lived up to.
Williams headed to the ring in Germany under the alias ‘DPW’ and made light work of his opponent Roth but after the fight claimed this fight was NOT a comeback.
Talking to South London Press Today after the fight Williams stated:
“What happened is that I didn’t want to go out on a loss and I’ve won – that’s it now,” said Williams. “I also said after the Chisora fight that you’d never hear the ring announcer say Danny Williams’ name again, and I boxed as DPW in Germany.
“I kept it very low-key. A guy I know out there is a boxing agent and he hooked me up with the fight. Even my mum and brothers didn’t know – they were all shocked.
“I always said I wouldn’t go out on a loss – even if I had to fight Bob The Builder. Well I fought Bob The Builder and got the win that I wanted.”
Although Williams states the above it is hard to know whether the enigmatic “Brixton Bomber” is being honest or not. He is scheduled to fight again in Germany on April 8th against an opponent yet to be arranged and many believe he will indeed take on this fight.
It is hard to know exactly what goes through the head of Williams, a problem that has been his Achilles heel throughout his career. He is alleged to have a new team behind the scenes who have claimed Williams is a “reformed boxer.”
Rumors have been spiraling that Williams really is boxing on and is aiming for a mini revival. Should he take on and come through this bout in Germany as intended there is the potential of Williams taking on Audley Harrison for the third time, a fight that Williams was so eager to make heading into the Prizefighter series back in October last year before losing his first round fight.
In fact, Williams ONLY entered the tournament to get Harrisons blood. The fight makes perfect sense for Harrison too who is the current laughing stock of boxing, not just here in the UK but worldwide after his pathetic efforts against David Haye back in November.
The truth is, Williams is a shadow of his former self as far as boxing goes and it is hard to make a case for him making that revival and showing us anything special. As a massive Danny Williams fan one would hope that if he was to fight on one that he wouldn’t become a statistic like many of the other boxers that just can’t let go and retire.
I am happy that Williams goes out on a victory although I am not sure what he has achieved by doing so. I have always said that Williams, if in shape and mentally prepared could still be a world class operator but it has to 100% right; 99% just won’t do and I question if Williams has the passion to put in his unconditional efforts.