Williams reportedly accepts Chisora match; Sexton's sad absence explained

According to promoter Frank Warren's selectively updated website, Derek Chisora steps in on May 15th to fight Danny Williams for his British heavyweight title after Commonwealth champ Sam Sexton withdrew.  We await Williams to confirm the fight personally seeing as he previously didn't fancy the Chisora job.

It was left to BoxRec News to break the news that Sexton-Williams had fallen through, just as it recently was regarding Ricky Burns not managing to get a shot against WBO champion Roman Martinez.

Sexton has chosen not to box on the undercard of Kevin Mitchell v Michael Katsidis as his mother is unfortunately seriously ill. 

His team released the following statement:

"It is with deep regret that we have to announce the unforeseen withdrawal of Sam Sexton from his forthcoming fight against Danny Williams on the 15th May 2010. Sam Sextons mother was admitted to Addenbrooke's Hospital with an aneurysm to her head in critical condition. Having undergone extensive tests she is now awaiting the possibility of a rare life saving operation.

"Sam has not left his mother's bedside throughout her ordeal has been unable to continue his training for the past week and it seems potentially for the foreseeable future until his mother has hopefully had her operation and is out of danger. Being in the most important period of his training and after extensive discussion with his trainer it was decided that Sam was not in a fit state of mind for any fight, let alone a championship fight.

"Sam deeply regrets having to pull out of the fight as he was so looking forward to hopefully adding his dream of being British heavyweight champion to his Commonwealth title.

"Sam would greatly appreciate some privacy along with his family through this worrying time."

Williams was supposed to fight Chisora in February at Wembley Arena when Sexton pulled out because of hand injury, but claimed he couldn't get himself in the right frame of mind to face the unbeaten Chisora.

Finchley puncher Chisora instead fought Carl Baker in a British title eliminator who he stopped in two rounds.

"First of all my thoughts are with Sam and his family at this time and I hope his mother makes a full recovery," said the 25-year-old.

"The opportunity to fight Williams again was presented to me and took the fight straight away.

"I was left frustrated by the messing about in the last fight when I was supposed to fight him and took my anger out on Baker, but I'm happy that Williams has seen sense and will fight me at West Ham.

"I'm really psyched up for the fight already and this is the type of fight I need to bring out the best in me that people haven't seen yet.

He added, "It's going to be a huge night at West Ham and I'm looking forward to being crowned British champion."

Perhaps a reinvigorated Williams (BoxRec News passim) might have something to say about that.