Exclusive - Williams aims to end career on a high by beating ‘disrespectful’ Chisora

Danny Williams has confirmed that his British heavyweight title defence against Derek Chisora at Upton Park on Saturday week (May 15) will be his last fight. Williams was originally set to meet Commonwealth champion Sam Sexton on Frank Warren’s open air show but Sexton withdrew from their duel title showdown last week to remain at the hospital bedside of his seriously ill mother. Kevin Mitchell’s WBO interim lightweight title matchup with Aussie banger Michael Katsidis tops the bill.

Williams was supposed to fight Chisora in February at Wembley Arena when Sexton pulled out of their previously scheduled clash because of a hand injury, but claimed he couldn't get himself in the right frame of mind to face the unbeaten ‘Del Boy’.

“When you’ve got your mind focused on a certain opponent and then someone else comes in, it completely throws you out for a few days. I was so hungry to fight Sexton because my goal was to become a three-time Commonwealth champion so when Sexton pulled out again it did affect me big,” explained Williams to BoxRec News.

“I pulled out from fighting Chisora in February because I went down with a cold. Also on the week I withdrew from the fight I was actually arrested by the police while I was out driving my car. The only time I’ve ever had any dealings with the police before is when I was on jury service.”

“In the end, my wife had to come down to the station with the correct documentation to prove that it was infact my car but they kept me locked up for five hours. Due to the stress of this that was another reason why I pulled out,” reiterated Williams when questioned over his desire to tackle the unbeaten Chisora.

Perhaps ominously for Williams, the 12-0 (7) Chisora is the only man to have defeated Sexton after he stopped the Norwich man in six rounds in June 2008.

“I thought when Chisora first turned pro he was absolutely useless but he’s improved a lot since then and he looks quite good now. Although he has beaten Sexton I personally believe that Sexton has improved more since then. Chisora looks very fit and physically strong. It’s hard to say what his weaknesses are because we haven’t seen him lose yet or be exposed in a fight,” said Williams.

“I haven’t got a clue as to how the fight will go but I think our styles should gel quite well. Me and Chisora will make for an excellent fight which is exactly the type of note I want my career to leave on what will be a good show.”

Whatever the outcome of his final fight, the Brixton Bomber can be proud of his ring accomplishments which have seen him reign as British and Commonwealth champion and famously defeat Mike Tyson and Audley Harrison during his topsy-turvy 14-year career. Williams’ bravery was emphasised none more so by his dramatic victory over Mark Potter while boxing with a dislocated shoulder and in his gallant WBC world title loss to Vitali Klitschko.

In more recent times however, the 36-year-old has faced criticism over his commitment to Boxing but resisted urges to immediately retire following his shock defeat to the unheralded Carl Baker in Prizefighter last October.

“What people say doesn’t really bother me, it simply makes me want to train harder to prove them wrong. Chisora is a very disrespectful person. People like him look at fighters such as Ali and Mayweather and believe that the way to be is to trash talk people whereas I believe you should just be yourself," argued Williams.

“Win, win or win this is the last time you’ll see Danny Williams in a ring. After the fight, which God willing I’ll win, I’m going to go on a two week course in order to pursue a career as a professional bodyguard. When I hang up the gloves I’d like to do something that enables me to protect people. I’m definitely finished with Boxing,” he concluded.