Danny Williams, under-achiever?

I saw this on Youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKYXOgCkn2Y

... and it got me thinking about Danny Williams career. Firstly its a great video, shows danny getting daobolically brutalized but also shows that he had a proper grit. So in the twilight of his career, lets reflect on how he did overall. Was he a talented prospect ruined by poor training and mental problems, or was he just an average fighter with a big heart who got a win over knackered version of Mike Tyson?

First time I recall seeing Williams was when he beat Mark Potter with an arm hanging out of its socket dangling limp at his side. It made the sports news and tabloid back pages at the time. I'm sure Williams was considered a good prospect back then, even after his loss to Julius Francis. After that i remember seeing him knock out a guy with a triple-uppercut, which to this day is one of the most savage knockouts I've ever witnessed. So what went wrong?

Sinan Samil Sam completely humiliated him, thats one of the nastiest and most uncomfortable fights I've ever seen. He got a worse beating that night than he did against Vitali Klitschko. After that he looked a bit ruined, Micheal Sprott completely outboxed him in their 2nd fight, Mike danced rings round Danny and got knocked out by the shadiest knockout. Sprott was lowblowed, so he turned to the ref to draw attention to it, Danny Williams saw him and loaded up with a monster right hand, knocking Sprott out cold.

Its also weird that it was after this, when Williams looked well past it and unable to get into shape that he pulls off his biggest win. I dont care how old Tyson was or how knackered his knee was, Danny showed bollocks to get through that onslaught and win. To trade toe-to-toe with Tyson, beat him at his own game, and shrug off all his biggest shots was never done to Tyson by anyone else. Everyone else ground him down over time. Holy and buster ground him down over distance. Lennox took it easy for the first 4 rounds of their fight and draped himself all over Tyson, cutting out all Tyson inside work. But Danny Williams fought Tyson fire-wth-fire.

also, there is no better example of suicidal guts and pride more punishing that Klitschko - Williams. Stupid fight, shame on Klitschko's people for even taking it. They knew danny, they knew he wasn't gonnda stand a chance. What a cop out, a total mismatch, but at least it showed that in terms of pure heart, there isn't many out there who can match Danny Williams.

Looking back, could he have ever won a world title with a bit of luck? Or was he always british title level?

Dannys has had a good career, when you consider he never won an Amatuer Title. He had 3 goes and never won the Divs.

Hello there - hey Sovereign, which boxer did Danny knock out with a triple upper cut.

I've seen a lot od Danny's fights and also went to see him fight Audley at the Excel.

I've also watched that video on Youtube and have you seen how in shape Danny was in his earlier years? He has (had?) tremendous speed and apparently used to have records for rowing and a very quick 100m time so he had great fitness. I just don't know now. Maybe for his own good it's time to say goodbye to the ring and look after his family. I just wish I could warm to Audley in the same way but I just don't like the fella when he bigs himself up so much. Cheers!

yeah I remember people saying that he could do 100m in 10 seconds, has that ever been anything more than a rumour?

I think the guy he KTFO was Shawn Robinson, I have it on VHS at home I think, along with a few early Audley Harrison fights on the BBC. The only reason I think this is because apparently Audley fought him after Danny did, to try and prove a point, and sparked him in the first round. Shawn Robinson is someone they've got in common.

Sovereign just a rumour he wasnt all that fast, as I remember he was a 13 secs man but thats still fair

I though the Klitchko beating would have ruined him but he just bounced back and forgetting the Harrison fight he did have a war with Skelton.
He'll have another go then turn it in.
At least Danny is usually willing to have a go and give you value for money so with that in mind i have a lot of respect for him. 8)
Don't really think he's ever had the raw talent to 'achieve' at the end of the day and he peaked in the Tyson fight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smashup

I though the Klitchko beating would have ruined him but he just bounced back and forgetting the Harrison fight he did have a war with Skelton.
He'll have another go then turn it in.
At least Danny is usually willing to have a go and give you value for money so with that in mind i have a lot of respect for him. 8)
Don't really think he's ever had the raw talent to 'achieve' at the end of the day and he peaked in the Tyson fight.

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Couldnt agree more, hes never looked like being a world champion but you cant say he ducked anyone. Ive never been overly keen on him but win or lose he usually entertains (the first Harrison fight aside of course) If anything hes an over-achiever.

Met Danny a few times and he really is a lovely fella and very approachable.
Remember the first Harrison fight weigh in when Audley just bowled about refusing to chat to any Journalists whereas Danny was chatting,signing Autographs having his pic taken with the kids etc.
Top fella is Williams ;)

YEah I met him to at the Excel and he's such a nice bloke - and his arms are bleedin massive! I still rate him and I think if he can get into the shape he was in earlier in his career then he'll beat Scott Gammer easy(however - have only seen a little of him, but not too impressed). HE'll be British champion again then. Don't forget he beat Skelton last Feburary and that was a great fight and Williams alomost knocked MAtt out in the last round. I think Danny will be remembered as one of the best examples of pure determination and heart in the boxing world, you simply cannot argue with that. But he's been a victim of a few psychological problems and overindulgence. But like I say, that aside he's a lovely character, not like ego-centric Audley who's just honouring himself. One thing you can see is the difference a little humility makes in terms of the reception you get - even when Audley beat Danny the crowd still booed.