I don't expect many knowledgeable, rational boxing people to have honestly
predicted British stool pigeon Danny Williams to upset the Mike Tyson applecart
in the way that he did on that very explosive yet exposing night in Louisville.
Being British myself I know what Danny is capable of; he has shown glimmers in
the past of what he can amount to if he gets his game face on but so often we
have spent our Saturday evenings tuning in to see the heavily muscled man-child
go through the motions to secure a struggle of a victory over very meager
opposition.
Williams' problems have mostly been inside his head, he physically
is as fine tuned as a jet engine, yet in the past he has been as mentally strong
as a 13-year old adolescent kid. For every great showing that he would
produce, a heart breaking stroll through a vat of treacle would follow, often
against a fighter who didn't belong in the same town as him let alone same ring.
Enter project Louisville… The opportunity of a lifetime and a chance
to show the entire World what Danny Williams is made of and in duet exorcise
the demons that fluttered around inside the complex Williams mind. Mike Tyson
was making the right noises and releasing deceivingly positive vibes around
present media weeks before the event. Speed and a newly found motivation had
returned to the Tyson arsenal for the first time in five years according to the
naïve onlookers that had the pleasure of having been fooled into buying a seat on
the Tyson bandwagon.
Freddy Roach started to vocally endorse Mighty Mike's
re-birth as he poignantly revealed days before his expectations that Danny will
mentally collapse under the Tyson fight pressure once the enormity of the event
began to kick in. Well, the usually fragile Williams psyche didn't flinch, he
even enjoyed a 20 pounds plus weight advantage that would eventually be used to
its full extent as a unmovable battering ram that would conclusively make Mike
-not Danny- collapse and submit amidst one of the most entertaining shoot 'em up
heavyweight fights I have seen in a very long time.
Mike Tyson exploded in the
first round as expected, rocking the usually brittle Brit in cameos yet as the
Brixton heavyweight began to survive the heaviest of the storm he realized that
was as bad as it was going to get. This would encourage the timid Williams to
get brave beyond his wildest dreams and try to play Mike at all of his favorite
tricks, low blow and punches on the break lost points academically but
realistically gained points in the mental games being played out in ring
center.
Tyson threw clusters of heavy leather that simply bounced off the
blossoming Williams' confidence as Danny saw no reason why he shouldn't try to
make the fight his own. Round 4 was the history maker for the Londoner. Mike,
who was having little success with his one hit wonder tactics, breathing a
little heavy and bleeding slightly, was looking eerily reminiscent of Tokyo Tyson
1990.
Danny sensed the weakness and upped the power in an attempt to crack
Tyson 2004 and in true Douglas fashion Mike slowly crumbled under the heavy
barrage of cleverly selected ammunition until he was slumped against the ropes
with no place to escape the younger man's leap for immortality.
It was over and
Mike had entered a new depth to his ever declining status, a loss not to an
established challenger, or a proven champion, or even a cagey contender. Mike
had lost to an unranked foreigner. A man who wasn't even considered the best in
his own country had outgunned the very man that many blinkered onlookers
considered the future of the current world heavyweight picture.
Paper champion, paper tiger, one trick pony or absolute phony, Mike isn't what he used to be,
and until he learns that he is going to need more than a heavy handed one round
rally to grab his former glory he is going down a Liston like road of large
proportions.
As for the victorious Williams he deserves to bask in his new found
fame;, some very large fish may readily offer some very large bait for his flavor of the month notoriety. Take it while it's here Danny, it is a short life
and you have just arrived at the front door, go knock it down. You have done
it once, go do it again. I dare you.
Incidentally, Danny Will appear next against Kazakhstan heavyweight contender
Oleg Maskaev 29-5 (23 KO's) at the 10,000 seater Excel Arena in London England. Oleg recently put a halt to the unbeaten run of Nigerian-Canadian
prospect
David Defiagbon with a solid victory in Atlantic City (New Jersey).
JOSEPH CALZAGHE RETURNS OCTOBER 22ND
Unbeaten 168 lbs WBO champion Joe Calzaghe will be back in action on October
22nd. The Welsh dynamo missed out on a very high profile clash with IBF 175 lbs.
champion Glen Johnson due to a frustrating back injury earlier in the year.
Although Joe's future lies at the 175 lbs division, his ring return will be in defense of his WBO 168 lbs. title which he last defended in his one and only
appearance in 2004 against Mgar Mkrtchian with a 7th round stoppage in Cardiff
Wales.
Calzaghe's October 22nd return will be penciled in for The Royal Highland
showground's in Edinburgh Scotland and will feature the IBF international 130 lbs.
champ, the amazing Alex Arthur on the undercard (Edinburgh is Alex Arthur's home
town and a very big boxing community.) Frank Warren is the promoter.
FRIDAY 30TH JULY WAS 'PHILADELPHIA
LOVES BERNARD HOPKINS' DAY
Bernard Hopkins took a well earned break from his training base in Miami where
he is in preparation for a September 18th fight with Oscar de la Hoya to receive
the wonderful tribute from his loyal, hometown faithful.
The 39 year old Philly
superstar was praised by City Mayor John Street whom he followed from City Hall
to Love Park in the city's downtown district. There he was honored by a host of Philadelphia's finest pugilists including Dwight Quawi,
Eugene Hart and Robert Hines.
Bernard is a fine example of how an ex-convict can
turn his negative past into a very positive future. After release from his 5
year jail sentence for robbery Bernard became a classic role model for many of
Philadelphia's wayward youths, and has made a point of getting involved in
numerous charity benefits in his beloved hometown.
A very emotional Hopkins said that his only regret is that his mother wasn't
around to see him on such a honorable occasion.
I am sure that she would have been very proud Bernard..
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
A small yet sweet remark made by Irish 'Pocket Rocket' Wayne
McCullough who after becoming a free agent since splitting with Sports Network
last September is desperate to get back into the championship mix…
"I need an opening, I will box any of the champions from 122 lbs. to 126 lbs., and
if I stink the joint out, don't pay me!!!"
The way you throw punches Wayne, we all know there is little chance of you
causing a stink. I know it won't be long until you get the call...
BIRTHDAY SHOUT
On Thursday, August 19th, Long Beach (California) heavyweight Jeremy Williams will be
32 years old. This young man has had quite an accomplished journey since turning
pro in 1992. Apart from being a celebrated amateur at light heavyweight,
Jeremy has held the WBC Continental Americas Title twice and defended it three
times.
By March 1994 he was 15-0 with only three men hearing the final bell.
In only his 9th fight he beat a very capable unbeaten prospect in Dannell
Nicholson via 2nd round KO to propel himself to a higher level of opposition. By
1996 Jeremy was 27-1 (his sole loss coming against Larry Donald by decision
over 12). In June of 1996 he would fight for the WBO heavyweight title against the
often avoided Henry Akinwande in a match that would see Williams lose for the
first time by stoppage, by KO in 3 in California.
Once more half man half amazing Jeremy would pick himself up and remain
unbeaten for three more years and nine more fights before losing in a
competitive fight with a lively Mo Harris at the Garden on points over 12.
Jeremy would go over to Copenhagen to challenge Brian Nielsen for the IBC strap
where he would lose gallantly for the last time. Since that loss Jeremy has
emerged once more as an active player, and lies currently in a respectful
position as a contender after devouring a list of A class prospects in the 4
years since. Notably a victory over 35-1 Andre Purlette in 2003 and more
recently a nice scalp in a 29-1 prospect Attila the Hun Levin in 2004.
Jeremy in the past sparred dozens of rounds with heavyweight ruler elite
Lennox Lewis while the big man was in his prime. A Judo black belt and a
shrewd businessman with a popular jewelry store in Long Beach, Jeremy was
influenced and encouraged to box by his Syrian father while in his teens. He
continues to feature in the wide open heavyweight division, and with a tally of
41 wins, 4 losses and one draw, with a solid 36 victories coming by KO, there is
no reason why he can't feature one more time.
Happy Birthday Jeremy, you are all man and very much amazing. I Hope you have
many more birthdays to come.
Once again we have reached that point where I ask you …
WHO IS THIS MAN?
The answer to last week's "Who Is This Man?" was former IBF Cruiserweight
Champion Imamu Mayfield.
Thank you once again for reading my Mouthpiece episodes. I welcome all
comments and remarks, along with "Who Is This Man?" answers at...
themouthpiece1@aol.com
Until the next Episode...
Good luck, good health, God bless.
Stephen Jones, AKA The Mouthpiece
Photo Credit: Stephen Jones
8-12--2004
Brought to you by Saratogamist
copyright 2001-2004
