Williams has overcome his demons - Warren

Promoter Frank Warren claims Danny Williams can establish himself in the pantheon of top heavyweights after he “outbullied the bully” to claim victory over Mike Tyson in what will rank as one of the biggest upsets in the sport.

The Londoner withstood a ferocious assault from Tyson in the first round to deliver a fourth-round knockout in Louisville.

The self-styled ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ was left crumpled against the ropes with blood leaking from a cut below his right eye as Williams delivered a potentially killer blow to his career.

Warren, however, insisted he was not surprised his charge had beaten the former world champion and believes it will be a springboard for Williams to finally fulfil his potential.

Warren told Radio 5 Live: “I am delighted but I believed we could win which is why I made it [the fight].

“I sat him down when we were offered the fight and said ‘You are going to have take a risk but you can win this. Take the money and seize the moment and put yourself in the big time.’

“Tyson still has the punching power. Danny took some great shots but he kept his composure and eventually beat the bully. It was all about getting through the first couple of rounds.

“At the end Tyson sat on the canvas and could have got up but he didn’t.”

The 31-year-old has had a chequered career after being spoken of as a potential successor to Lennox Lewis.

He has been accused of lacking mental strength but Warren insists Williams has overcome his “demons” with this victory.

Warren continued: “It’s the first time he got himself mentally right for the fight and he wanted to test himself.

“He got up for this one and Tyson was there to be beaten.

“It was always about Danny Williams and seeing if he could overcome his demons.”

Warren identified current WBC champion Vitali Klitschko as a possible opponent in an era when no one boxer has imposed himself on the division.

He said: “Klitschko and Danny – the other two (champions) no-one is bothered about.

“Danny has beaten the ‘baddest man on the planet’ – he is the man. The heavyweight division has come alive now with Danny.

“Hopefully it will set him up for life.

“He can capitalise on all the hard work, overcoming all the self doubts and establish himself as one of the best heavyweights on the planet – and hopefully one of the richest.”

Fellow promoter Frank Maloney acclaimed Williams as the “David who became the Goliath” and insisted the win had given British boxing a vital fillip.

Maloney told PA Sport: “I am not really surprised by the victory but surprised by the manner of victory.

“It was a convincing victory and a real boost for British boxing because you are only as good as your heavyweights.

“He was either going to be a hero or get beaten badly but he made it around and became a hero.

“I don’t really think of it as a shock. Any good fighter would have beaten Mike Tyson last night.

“It all depended on which Mike Tyson turned up and the one that did had nothing left.”

Maloney traced the evaporation of Iron Mike’s former aura of invincibility down to his comprehensive defeat by his former charge, Lennox Lewis.

Many fighters had frozen in the face of Tyson’s reputation and were beaten before they got into the ring, but Maloney felt Williams had overcome this.

He said: “He was not fazed by Tyson. He had nothing to lose but he has to go from here now.

“It has made him and he can go from strength to strength. He can have fame and fortune. He should be on top of the Empire State Building shouting now. He is the man everyone wants.”