Exclusive: Danny Williams set to retire

Wednesday, 07 October 2009

By Richard Cawley

DANNY Williams looks set to announce his retirement from boxing after his crushing defeat in the Prizefighter competition on Friday.

The former world heavyweight title challenger was beaten on points in his quarter-final clash with Carl Baker. The British Boxing Board of Control look set to strip the Brixton boxer of his British heavyweight title.

Williams says he is currently assessing his options and will make a decision on his future later this month.

But the 36-year-old’s admission that he could not take the punches of Baker - a 10/1 underdog before their fight - seems to spell the end of his 14 years in the paid ranks.

Williams - knocked down in the opening 20 seconds at the ExCel Arena - said: “That guy wouldn’t have lasted a round with me a few years ago - I just think I’ve got old overnight.

"I’ve had historic fights with Vitali Klitschko, Mike Tyson and Matt Skelton - so many hard fights. I’ve had too many wars and it was only a matter of time before they caught up with me - I think that moment was October 2.

“I’m not taking anything away from the guy but even though he is not a puncher, there was no real power in his shots, I went to the floor. My punch resistance had gone.

“I was talking to Anthony Small in the dressing room afterwards and it’s like when you’re chopping down a tree - there are five minutes of giving it big whacks before a little one topples it over. I’ve taken big rights from Klitschko and Tyson and I’ve hardly anything left.

“Training was good for this fight and I’ve got no excuses. I wanted revenge over Audley Harrison but it just wasn’t to be.

“I’m going to sit down and consider my options.”

The eighth defeat in Williams career looks like being the setback which does make him hang up his gloves.

Baker had an unassuming 8-3 record and had boxed just once in the last three years.

But a right to the temple sent Williams onto his back just moments after the opening bell and a series of clubbing shots to the head, which didn’t land cleanly, put him down again before the end of the first round.

That disastrous start meant the South Londoner needed a knockout to progress but his legs were still rubbery in the second and he made a couple more trips to the canvas which were ruled as slips. Williams had recovered by the third and went for a spectacular finish but Baker took some big shots and was able to spoil his way to the end of the contest.

All three judges gave Baker the verdict - 29-26, 28-26 and 28-27.

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