Desperate Danny Williams wins ‘easy’ Abu Dhabi fight

Abu Dhabi: The presence of Britain’s Danny Williams for the maiden professional boxing event held in Abu Dhabi was the highlight of a new ‘fight night’ series in the UAE on Thursday night. However, for Williams, who took to the ring at the age of 40, the bout was more the result of desperation from a father trying to make ends meet.

The less talked about the fight the better, as Williams’ opponent, Mazur Ali of Egypt, hardly posed a problem. In Williams’ words, his opponent just “didn’t fight”.

Williams needlessly carried the bout to six rounds, more so to please his fans, and then decided to end the agony by forcing Ali, who was half his size, to resign. It was a victory in the heavyweight category, but the two-time British and Commonwealth champion hung his head in shame.

The man who shot to fame when he beat Mike Tyson in 2004 has been reduced to fighting an unknown opponent and it clearly hurt Williams’ reputation.

“It was a bit awkward being out there. It was an easy fight. To be honest, I shouldn’t be fighting and wouldn’t be fighting if I had enough money to keep my kids in school,” said Williams, who is now forced to work as a bodyguard back home in London.

“My retirement depends on my job situation. I would have preferred an opponent who came to fight. For the people of Abu Dhabi, it was the first fight and they wanted to see a good contest.

“If the opponent was up for a fight, then it would have been good. But he was there to run around and mess around — it was not attractive. As they say, it takes two to tango.”

Williams, who has figured in 64 pro bouts and recorded 44 wins, explained exactly why he needs the money from fights such as this.

“Look, I have a good outhouse but I have to pay the rent. The kids are in private school and it is £26,000 a year. I haven’t got that money. I hope something concrete develops from here. So, if anyone has any work, then call Danny Williams,” appealed the man nicknamed the Brixton Bomber.

Williams’ career high was undoubtedly his victory against former undisputed world champion ‘Iron Mike’ Tyson in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Briton threw an array of punches in round four that night and forced Tyson to go down. The latter was sitting with his back to the ropes and was counted out after making no attempt to get to his feet.

Tyson, however, in his recent autobiography revealed that he was on recreational drugs when he fought Williams.

“Whatever Tyson has said in his book doesn’t bother me at all. The drugs Tyson says he was on, I will say was good because the way he fought in the first two rounds was great,” Williams laughed, adding: “It has taken nothing away from that win.

“Regardless of what he says, I know I have beaten a very good Tyson. It is my biggest win and, when I lost to [Vitali] Klitschko, I could have said a lot of things but the fact is I lost to Klitschko. And the same goes with Tyson, he lost to Danny Williams.”