Danny Williams v Scott Gammer
Danny Williams v Scott Gammer
The Brixton man finished off an entertaining battle by trapping the game champion on the ropes and unleashing a series of blows which put his opponent down on his knees.
Although Gammer rose to his feet at the count of 10 he was clearly in no state to continue and referee Victor Loughran’s decision to wave the bout off brought no complaints.
It was a magnificent response from Williams, who had gone into the fight admitting defeat would leave him with nowhere to go, and who had just endured his worst round of the fight in the eighth.
Unpredictable as ever, Williams had chiselled himself down to a remarkable 16st 4ins for what he fully admitted was his last chance at keeping his flickering career alive.
Defeat to Matt Skelton in Cardiff last year – when he had weighed over four stones more – then a dramatic late notice loss to Audley Harrison – suggested he was nearing the end.
But throughout his career Williams has always thrived on the unexpected and memories such as his epic 2004 victory over Mike Tyson had convinced him he still had a lot to give.
Gammer’s progress had been much more measured, quietly emerging as a heavyweight force when he claimed the vacant title from Mark Krence last year, then showing much improvement against Mickey Steeds.
But Williams represented a significant step up in class for the Pembroke Dock 30-year-old as he sought to muscle in on the domestic mix and force a fight with British number one Matt Skelton.
Williams certainly started like a man relishing another chance, strutting straight towards Gammer and immediately looking to unload a big right hand.
Gammer also shook off a clean right hook and a jarring left uppercut in a first round as the Londoner prevented the home favourite from making much an early impression.
But Williams was much more negative at the start of the second round and Gammer seized the initiative, unloading a series of accurate hooks which pushed back and clearly hurt the challenger.
Gammer went on to dig a couple of hurtful lefts into Williams’ body as his fine early work evaporated and Gammer, despite bleeding from the nose, looked much the more likely victor.
Williams was almost enticing Gammer into looking to unload his hooks in order to find a route for his swift counter-attacks but his tactic was not working as Gammer continued to score with right hands.
Williams changed his approach, charging out for the beginning of round five, but Gammer weathered the brief storm and cracked home a close-up combination which proved the most decisive action of the round.
The Brixton man worked much better behind a snappy left jab in the sixth, and was a clear winner of the seventh which he rounded off by wobbling Gammer for the first time with a left hand.
But in what was shaping up into a fine see-saw battle, Gammer responded with his best round of the fight so far in the eighth in which a series of unanswered blows stopped Williams in his tracks.
Again Williams hit back by barging out of his corner and trapped Gammer on the ropes before unleashing the sustained series of blows which ultimately left the home favourite out for the count.
