Williams: my courage won over the American public

DANNY Williams arrived back in Britain yesterday insisting he had won over America by proving his fighting heart.

The South London boxer's life has been a whirl of non-stop television and radio interviews across the Atlantic since his sensational fourth round knockout over Mike Tyson in Louisville last month.

He believes his courage has erased the image of horizontal British heavyweights and he is now courting offers from the biggest names in the division.

Williams said: "The American public has warmed to me because they saw me get hurt bad in the first round but come back by showing all my courage and determination to win. I need to keep my feet on the floor and move on to bigger and better things.

"I'm capable of beating anyone and well. This has changed my life big time. This has been unbelievable."

Williams is now getting used to his transformation from also-ran into a star being chased by men like legendary former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield.

Holyfield is also high on Williams's wanted list, but the 31-year-old Briton wants to cash in on his new-found fame by going straight for WBC world champion Vitali Klitschko.

Williams said: "I want to fight Klitschko and become WBC champion of the world. That has always been my dream since I was eight years old. It's the one Ali had and it's the one I want.

"I believe I beat one of the best in the division so I want this one next. I have beaten Tyson so I believe Klitschko would be a pushover."

Williams is convinced his win was no fluke and after beating Tyson in quicker time than Holyfield, Buster Douglas and Lennox Lewis, he believes he can go on and dominate the heavyweight world.

"It's one of the biggest shocks in the history of boxing," added Williams. "I was fighting one of the all-time greats and I was a massive underdog but I was able to stop him in four rounds."

Williams's other world title options may be limited as the remaining crew of world champions are tied up with Don King.

John Ruiz, Chris Byrd and Lamon Brewster are all due to defend their crowns imminently but their belts earn little respect in relation to the one held by Klitschko.

Meanwhile, Williams is equally unlikely to take seriously the belated challenge by Olympic champion and British heavyweight rival Audley Harrison.

Harrison congratulated Williams on his victory over Iron Mike then requested a match despite knocking back Williams's own claims consistently since he turned professional.

"The Harrison fight is off the agenda," said Williams. "I've been calling him out for years but he refuses to fight me.

"It would have been a great fight for the British public but he refused to get in a ring with me.

"I've moved on to the world stage now and left him a long way behind."