The Comeback of Danny Williams … or Someone Else?

As rumours began to circulate around internet forums and the boxing world whether it was true that Danny Williams was indeed making a comeback on his truly fascinating career, sources close to the former Heavyweight World Title Contender quoted him saying: “Danny Williams is finished. You will never again hear the ring announcer call Danny Williams!” Well what was true on the cold evening of Saturday 5th March 2011 at the Sportpalast Sports Hall in Bielefeld, Germany, was the ring announcer calling “DPW.” Later, it came to light that DPW were Williams’ initials for his full given name of Daniel Peter Williams. He was right for one that the ring announcer wouldn’t be calling out Danny Williams. Described throughout his career as a genuine gentleman who had done British boxing proud and had been a great ambassador to the sport of boxing, but what remained to be seen was whether Williams genuinely had anything left within him to give to the boxing world. As the crowd pulsatingly awaited for the bell to begin the first round, a fast, aggressive but at the same time cautious Williams came out to engage with Frank Kary Roth, firing numerous quick and stiff jabs that had once shaped and catapulted this boxer to success at world stage. Looking confident in landing and placing his shots, Roth, an awkward southpaw, looked baffled against Williams, who was thought to be a shot boxer, and attempted several times to land his left hooks. As the bell sounded to end the first round, a new trainer and corner men admittedly never seen before were engaging with Williams, providing instructions to the boxer in a calm and composed manner – as Williams was seen to be nodding his head whilst the Vaseline was being rubbed onto his battle-scarred face. At the commencement of the second round, Williams again went engaging his opponent with his stiff jab to head and body whilst firing his signature right cross. With Roth clearly looking frustrated and a level and class below that of Williams, a sudden vicious right to the body sent the former crashing and sprawling to the canvas in agony. The referee, Frank Ottehenning, began to count and with every right waived off the contest. Sure, Williams was only fighting a journeyman but what was impressive was the way he had boxed and dispatched his opponent. On the evidence of Saturday night, the Williams that had showed up could most certainly have defeated a number of the current heavyweights out there in a division that is so open and in such a sorry state. Those mental demons that have been in Williams’ head through much of his unpredictable career certainly weren’t there on the evidence of this performance. Many have said of Williams as someone who had underachieved and fell short of what was his true potential – but is this truly and finally the start of a new reformed man under a new fighting name and team? His new trainer, Dr. Arthif Daniel – revealed to be a dental surgeon and boxer himself, stated. “Danny has had a lot going on in his recent past whereby he was unable to train and prepare properly for fights. When you look throughout his career, Danny never has said no. He’ll fight people even if he has one arm in Mark Potter, he’ll fight people if he has shingles in Sinan Sam, he’ll fight people in 6 days notice in Audley Harrison and the list goes on. In his last fight against Chisora, Danny had so much going on that I remember him running around with personal commitments the very day before his fight. We’re not here to talk about excuses of why and what has happened in the past. And the reasons I will leave Danny to divulge in when he comes to the stage of writing his book. But what we are here to do is to show Danny’s own skill and pedigree in the ring under his new guise of DPW. No more talking just action in the ring. This man will be known as the real Cinderella man.” Some serious talk but what remains to be seen is whether the boast will be backed. Shockingly as may be seen, the intriguing story of this courageous warrior continues and where it will end is undoubtedly captivating. DPW a new name – whether this is truly a new reformed individual remains further to be seen.