http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4089453.stm

Exposed Williams hits Klitschko wall

By Alex Trickett
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http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gifhttp://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40622000/jpg/_40622057_knees270.jpg
Klitschko brings Williams to knees (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4089373.stm)
More pictures from Las Vegas (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/photo_galleries/4089421.stm)

If Danny Williams' rise to world stardom was rapid in 2004, his demise was startlingly quick.

The brave Briton's bid to become WBC heavyweight champion effectively ended after just 140 seconds against the impressive Vitali Klitschko.

At that instant, Williams was sent crashing to the canvas by a savage combination.

And as he fell, all of the confidence he had discovered in July during his shock victory over Mike Tyson ebbed away.

But his courage stayed with him as a one-sided first round became an eight-round beating dished out by Klitschko.

Williams showed bottomless resolve to clamber off the canvas four times, forcing referee Jay Nady to stop the fight when it became clear that he would not quit.

By then though, Klitschko's assault had turned Williams "the Tyson-tamer" back into the lumbering figure who surrendered his British crown to Michael Sprott in January.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gifDANNY WILLIAMS CAREER
Born: 13/07/73
Home: Brixton, England
Record: 32-4-0
Trainer: Jim McDonnell
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 6ft 2in
Key wins:
Tyson: 30/7/04
Potter: 21/10/00 (British title)
Senior: 18/12/99 (Commonwealth title)
Key losses:
Klitschko: 11/12/04 (WBC)
Sprott: 24/1/04

The Brixton fighter's preparations for his big shot in Las Vegas had included large helpings of footage from his boxing hero Rocky Marciano.

"Marciano is my man," he said.

"I saw him against Ezzard Charles when he had all those cuts and fought on and against Jersey Joe Walcott when he was a proper warrior, not like today's fighters who get out of the ring if they damage a fingernail.

"I like Marciano because he didn't stop punching. He was a warrior and he had heart."

Williams replicated Rocky's heart against Klitschko, and he should be applauded for that, but he failed dismally to punch, being outscored by a staggering 99-6 in the jabs column.

So where did it all go wrong?

Critical fingers will be wagged at his weight, and there is a case to be made that his 19st 4lb bulk slowed him down enough to make him a sitting duck for Klitschko.

But Williams dismissed those claims, telling BBC Radio Five Live that he "probably would not have survived the first round" if he had come in lighter.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gifhttp://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/img/v3/end_quote.gif I want to continue - look at Frank Bruno, he lost a few but then beat Oliver McCall http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/img/v3/end_quote.gif


Danny Williams

More Williams reaction (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4089453.stm)

The unavoidable truth is that the Ukrainian would have been too good at any weight, and a tough decision now has to be made about Williams' future.

Promoter Frank Warren hinted at retirement, calling on his charge to have a serious think before fighting again.

But Williams is adamant that he will keep fighting, after being given a clean bill of health by doctors during a precautionary trip to hospital for a brain scan.

"I want to continue. Look at Frank Bruno, he lost twice and finally got his title," he said.

The wisdom of those words can only be judged in the years to come and Williams' heart may earn him a crack at one of the lesser heavyweight champions.

For now though, he appears to have reached his level and it falls a long way below that of Klitschko, who should now be considered the best in the division. The British public owes Williams a big debt for his courage, for beating Tyson and for his refreshingly affable nature. But it will have to wait a while longer for its next heavyweight champion of the world.

I'm honestly surprised. On paper, Vitaly is an outstanding boxer. But he and his brother have a reputation of folding up easily. I thought Williams would will himself to victory.

I guess that puts Vitaly at the top. There's no one else out there, anymore. We've been talking about a mass-heavyweight tournament, and everyone agreed that it would be decided by attrition. Well, there's nobody left. Vitaly isn't going to fight Wladimir, who really is one loss away from being entirely discredited. I guess all that's left is James Toney. I don't see Antonio Tarver moving up to heavyweight to fight Vitaly. Tarver is a damn smart boxer, but I think he'd be biting off more than he could chew.

There you go, James Toney vs. Vitaly Klitschko. The last real heavyweight possibility.

Williams was a punching bag in this match, which I watched.

I like Klitschko myself but lets not go overboard.

I'm not going overboard. Williams was actually Klitschko's punching bag. It was a Hate Crime. I almost felt sorry for him.

I'm not going overboard. Williams was actually Klitschko's punching bag. It was a Hate Crime. I almost felt sorry for him.

Yeah but I suspect this is going to be a 'thing' with you people. :p

Vhat do you mean, "thing"?

I generally just watch MMA (PRIDE is much better than boxing, sorry), but I watched this match because the guys were watching it.

I almost felt sorry for him.Thatz just what Hymie wants: White wimmin wasting sympathy on jigz. Females and televisions don't mix. There oughtta be a law... ;)

I'm not going overboard. Williams was actually Klitschko's punching bag. It was a Hate Crime. I almost felt sorry for him.
You don't think he took a dive did he, was he half assing it?

Basically, Klitschko has far superior reach. Williams wasn't very good at dodging. When they would take a break to super soak him with vaseline, his advisor negro would pop out and scream "MOVE YO HEAD MOVE YO HEAD!"

Slavs are just really powerful fighters. They dominate MMA as well.

Thatz just what Hymie wants: White wimmin wasting sympathy on jigz. Females and televisions don't mix. There oughtta be a law... ;)

Is this your way of floating a trial balloon regarding the black guy you're dating? :p

the black guy you're dating? :pI'd never date one on my own free will. The televitz made me do it.

I'd never date one on my own free will. The televitz made me do it.

Its important that you pass on Emanuelle Lewis's genes. Vital, in fact. I wish you two the best. :)

Thatz just what Hymie wants: White wimmin wasting sympathy on jigz. Females and televisions don't mix. There oughtta be a law... ;)

I guess Hymie will just have to be disappointed, since my near pity couldn't overcome my pleasure in seeing Klitschko give him the beats. It wasn't as beautiful as a good CroCop knock-out kick to the head, but it was nice.

The media has been silent on this boxing match in which a white beat a black for a championship. It confounds their Great White Hope mythology.

Thatz just what Hymie wants: White wimmin wasting sympathy on jigz. Females and televisions don't mix. There oughtta be a law... ;)

Kissin' up, as usual.

Mike Tyson is still boxing?

Nowadays Tyson isn't really boxing, he just gets boxed.

Mike Tyson is still boxing?
Hes sucked since he went to/got out of jail.

there will never again be a (black) american undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, just forget about it.

censor the sport, watch golf..

the new line of european heavyweights marching in by way of germany will totally dominate everything..

look at the olympics, the usa professional dominance was allways a wwf wrestlingshow, much to the amusement and disgust of the real world.

in weightlifting and wrestling niggers have allways been thrown around like ragdolls, now its happening in boxing too, cause the Propagandamachine can no longer manage to broadcast a "clean" image..

only question remaining is how long the black party will be able to maintain a black dominance in the rap music scene.. :)

there will never again be a (black) american undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, just forget about it.

Funny, I recall Chris Byrd beating Vitaly in Germany.

Funny, I recall Chris Byrd beating Vitaly in Germany.
Notice the word 'again' there...

Funny, I recall Chris Byrd beating Vitaly in Germany.

chris byrd.. is that the left handed, canadian rubber duck? i suck cocks for christ-chris byrd..?

you dont wanna get me started on this...

you truly dont wanna know anymore about the boxing scene and whats in reality been going on there. the reality of them us weasel politics and the laughs theyve been generating.. its just not good for your self image, just let it go..

continue drinking and watch k1, theres a dutch black dude there,for now, ive heard..

Notice the word 'again' there...

In truth, I think Vitaly will beat Byrd in what surely must be an imminent re-match. Byrd is the best heavyweight after Vitaly, and it would seem natural that Vitaly should attempt to avenge that loss. Sounds like Lennox might be coming out of retirement, as well.

I kind of like Vitaly, though, so it's good to see him doing well.

Also, I might point out that Toney might be able to beat Vitaly. I like Vitaly, but I'd love to see him fight Toney and I'd be 100% neutral for that fight. May the best man win....