Williams and McDermott weigh in for title fight by Will Hale Jul 17th 2008

Tomorrow night (18 July) in Dagenham sees Frank Maloney's latest card topped by Danny Williams defending against mandatory challenger John McDermott for the British Heavyweight title. Since reclaiming the Lonsdale belt in March 2007 by stopping Scott Gammer away in Neath, the thirty-five year old has focused his efforts in bouts on the continent and stateside. In December last year, prospect Oleg Platav was considered lucky to get a four-round no contest against Danny when a cut was deemed to be accidental and too bad for proceedings to continue. Then on the Woods-Tarver undercard in April this year, Williams ticked over when widely outpointing journeyman Marcus McGee over six. Danny had his man down in both the first and the third rounds. Finally, Williams avoided alleged foul-play when stopping Konstantin Airich in the seventh in Spain two months ago. Danny contested several point deductions made by the referee against him in the fight. In addition, when Williams had Airich in trouble and down in the sixth the bell was rung with over in minute and a half remaining in the round. But all is well that ends well, and Danny finished the job in the seventh. Danny's weight has often provided a key indicator of success in his fights. Against Gammer, he came in at 228lbs, the lightest he'd been since his debut. He looked great that night, patiently negotiating the best the Pembroke-Dock-man could throw at him and then taking Scott out clinically in the ninth. Compare that to the 288lbs boxing blimp that was outboxed by Skelton in their rematch two years ago, and you can see that a lighter Williams is usually a better Williams. Today's weigh-in took place at Danny Williams' plumbers in Chislehurst in Kent. Williams weighed in at 265lbs, and McDermott scaled 252lbs. So has Danny trained with full-commitment? Well, he is light enough to convince that he isn't totally disinterested in the fight, but not that light to persuade that vintage Williams will show up. McDermott is the English heavyweight champion and defeated former British champ Gammer to earn this title shot. Last time out, he stopped Pele Reid in the second to finally put to bed any lingering title aspirations the Brummie may have had. His main weapon is a good jab and his plodding aggression. But with whispers circulating that his confidence isn't exactly overflowing after he wasn't keen to look Williams in the eye at the pre-fight staredown, allong with domestic losses against Krence and Skelton on his ledger and my pick is Williams by stoppage in eight. Also on the card are Tshifhiwa Munyai, Ajose Oluegun, Akaash Bhatia, Scott Belshaw and Tony Bellew. Tshifhiwa Munyai 8st 11lbs 2oz Vs Osumanu Akaba 8st 13lbs 5oz Akaash Bhatia 9st 7oz Vs John Vanemmenis 9st 2lbs 8oz Scott Belshaw 16st 10lbs Vs Daniel Peret 17st 13lbs Ajose Olusegun 10st 4lbs 6oz Vs Mihita Mutu 10st 2lbs 5oz Tony Bellew 12st 10lbs 2oz Vs Atiettey Powers 12st 9lbs 5ozs Photos: Will Hale

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