By Jim Cawkwell
Fourteen months ago, a perfect right hand courtesy of Vitali Klitschko had Danny Williams inspecting the design of the Mandalay Bay ceiling. Today, contrary to retiring as advised, Williams has ruined the unbeaten runs of both Audley Harrison and Matt Skelton in successive outings. There’s much to be said for persistence. However, if there is still such a thing as a world class heavyweight, Williams still falls below that standard regardless of his latest form and whatever else he might achieve in his career. Whether it was indiscipline or insecurity, there have always been too many obstacles preventing Williams from fulfilling his potential. He never was and never will be a world beater, but as far as today’s British heavyweight scene is concerned, he is most definitely, “The Daddy.”
It is a coronation that Matt Skelton tried his utmost to deny. In fact, there’s very little that the brutish former mixed martial arts fighter did not try to inflict upon Williams over twelve of the most heated heavyweight rounds seen in a British ring in years. Unlike Harrison, whose will appeared to acquiesce before a real fight could break out, Skelton threw it all at Williams; it’s unfortunate for Skelton that head-butts, elbows and body slams do not fall in line with the Queensbury Rules, as his crude assaults did not avail him when the split decision against him was announced.
Much was expected of Skelton having disposed of eighteen previous victims (seventeen by stoppage) before Williams’ untimely intervention. Pushing forty-years-old, Skelton’s desperate fighting style reflected the suspicion that every second of his advanced age counted against him. His failure means that he is no departure from the perpetual disappointment that is the British heavyweight, and it relegates his status less still on the world stage upon which there are few heavyweight fighters able to raise anything greater than indifference.
For now, the moment belongs to Williams, who may always wage a fruitless battle (pun intended) against chocolate and take-aways, but also, because of his inherent vulnerabilities and occasional excellence, may also provide many more thrilling fight nights whether he wins or loses.
Khan’t Wait Any Longer.
Inconceivable as it may seem, there is already something of a revolt beginning concerning the career path of Amir Khan. The teenage sensation had British audiences falling over themselves to see him turn professional after his Olympic heroics, but us British don’t appreciate being taken for a ride, and the sense is that Khan’s route to significant action is going to be a long and painful one to endure for the viewer.
You might say that criticism of Khan is premature given that on Saturday he notched only his sixth win since turning professional last July. However, the British boxing public can be forgiven for presuming the worst considering that promoter Frank Warren is charged with guiding Khan’s career.
Warren’s established pattern with fighters of substance over the years has been to negotiate them away from difficult fights and line his ever-widening pockets while stringing the fans along with hollow promises. Under Warren’s tutelage Ricky Hatton was ready for his defining fight long before Warren delivered it and Joe Calzaghe finds himself only now involved in such a fight when really, the matter of his legacy should have been put beyond question long ago.
The more seasoned boxing observer understands that at only nineteen, Khan has yet to grow into himself and has ample time to develop as a fighter. However, the vast percentage of England’s boxing viewers will not exhibit such patience if Khan’s fights continue to be non-competitive affairs against no-hopers. On his current schedule, Khan is fighting once a month on the most publicized fight cards in the land, a prudent strategy, but one that will need the galvanization of reputable opposition if the youngster is to avoid the wrath of the public.
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