Williams aiming to stun Tyson
Williams jumped at the chance to challenge Tyson at Louisville’s Freedom Hall tonight and intends to prove the former world champion’s match-makers made a big mistake.
He appears to come made to measure for a fighter still labouring under the delusion that at 38 he can recapture the raw teenage ferocity which swept him to the top of the world.
Williams admitted: “I was chosen as Tyson’s opponent because I have a good record, I am big, I look the part and they obviously think I am going to get knocked out in a few rounds. They think I am a knock-over opponent but they have made a mistake.”
Williams, 31, has been in uncharacteristically bombastic mood since arriving in the US to begin his training preparations. But while his insistence that Tyson is fading and ready to drop may ring true, Williams has failed to convince anybody - perhaps not even himself - that he will be the man to throw the decisive punch.
A three-knockdown defeat to Sinan Samil Sam on a step up to European level last year, and domestic drudges against Michael Sprott and former Tyson victim Julius Francis, have all fuelled doubts about Williams’ mental strength. Tyson’s trainer Freddie Roach also picked out the issue of Williams’ bravery or otherwise after viewing videos.
The likelihood is that Williams will bravely give it a go and pay early for his audacity. Which, after all, is the reason he is here in the first place.
Tyson has unsurprisingly failed to respond to Williams’ statements of intent. The troubled American still has his eyes on a return to the top of his sport and considers Williams a mere tune-up for his ageing bones and his blank bank account.
Tyson has not fought since his 49-second blow-out of Clifford Etienne in Memphis early last year.
Tyson’s camp talk bravely of a challenge to the WBC champion Vitali Klitschko but for the time being at least he remains more freak show than legitimate fringe contender.
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