The Sun News On-line

Danny Williams knows he is just one punch away from a world heavyweight title fight against WBC champion, Samuel Peter. To reach his dream, the south Londoner has to come through a British heavyweight title defence against John McDermott at Dagenham, England's Goresbrook Leisure Centre.

Williams insists his desire to finish his career as a world heavyweight champion has never been greater after watching the latest dismal episode to afflict his ailing division penultimate weekend. He described Tony Thompson's attempt to wrest the IBF title from Wladimir Klitschko as "a complete joke" and is adamant he is the man to bring passion and hunger back to the so-called richest prize in sport.
Williams, who soaked up tremendous punishment before losing to Vitali Klitschko in Las Vegas in 2004, said: "The division is in a terrible state and it seems heavyweights now have neither the ability nor the heart and will to fight.

"Thompson was a proper joker who should join Audley Harrison in the big heavyweight softie club. It sickens me to see how some fighters approach their shot at the same title once held by Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis.

"Klitschko proved a league above me when I fought him, but I went in there with a game plan to try to win. It didn't work out, but at least, I gave it my best shot and refused to back down until the referee stopped the fight.

"I can tell you now my desire and belief has never been greater. I'm totally convinced I will do myself and my family proud by winning a world title. Watching others just gives me so much more confidence."

While Williams' hopes of a crack at WBC champion, Samuel Peter, seem premature, with the Nigerian now having agreed to fight the returning Vitali Klitschko, the Brixton man is content to bide his time. And he is wisely refusing to look beyond McDermott, the Horndon man, who has operated on the fringes of the domestic scene for a number of years and was blown away in one round by Matt Skelton in 2005.

Williams is only too aware of the inconsistency, which has dogged him and often turned his apparently most routine assignments into the toughest fights of his career.