Columnist Dean Juipe: Obscure foe says he can beat Tyson

Dean Juipe

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 | 9:50 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4084.

Credit Danny Williams for picking up on the obvious.

Williams, an English heavyweight boxer who is scheduled to fight Mike Tyson July 30 in Louisville, said Tuesday he knows why he got the fight and what's expected of him.

"I've got a good record," he said of his 31-3 mark that includes 26 knockouts. "I'm big. I look the part. And they obviously feel I'm going to be knocked out in a few rounds."

He's honest. And right.

Williams, who weighs 250 pounds, gives the physical appearance of being a formidable opponent for the former champion. But he has never beaten anyone of note, which is why he was handpicked for the assignment of fighting Tyson by the businessmen behind the scenes.

They certainly aren't bringing Williams across the pond to upset Tyson and disrupt an announced plan of having Tyson fight as many as six more times within a year.

"People think I'm another English bum," Williams said from New York during a conference call. "In this fight I'm expected to be knocked out in a couple of rounds."

He suspects Tyson has similar expectations for their scheduled 10-round fight.

"A 'little bit lightly' is an understatement," Williams said, when asked if Tyson might be taking him a little bit lightly. "He's definitely taking me lightly."

Personable on the phone and dotting his conversation with plenty of "Thanks, mate," responses, Williams finds himself in an enviable position. Tyson has not fought in 18 months and only fought 49 seconds that night, knocking out Clifford Etienne in the first round Feb. 22, 2003, in Memphis, and Williams feels the layoff will be critical.

"He's going to be rusty and his skills have deteriorated," he said of Tyson, who is training in Phoenix. "It's going to make a big difference. He's not the fighter he used to be; he's maybe 40 percent of what he used to be.

"He's ready for the taking and I believe I'm the man to take him."

Williams' strategy will be a familiar one for a Tyson opponent, as he will attempt to extend the bout.

"I've got a good jab and good foot movement and I have to box him and get the fight to the late rounds," Williams said of trying to thwart Tyson's habit of starting strong in pursuit of a quick KO.

Tyson, 50-4 with 45 knockouts, may be in decline yet Williams is approaching him with a healthy respect.

"He's one of the greatest heavyweights of all time and he's still a world-class fighter," he said. "His 40 percent is still better than most of our 100 percents."

His contact with Tyson has been limited to a New York press conference, and Williams was pleased with Tyson's gentlemanly conduct.

"I expected Mike to be growling at me," Williams said. "But he smiled at me and gave me a hug."

There won't be smiles and hugs in the ring however, as Williams understands Tyson's unpredictable, ear-biting nature.

"He's still a very intimidating character," Williams said. "I'm preparing for a clean fight but whatever he gives me, I'll give right back."

Tyson, if nothing else, will give Williams a shot at making history. If he pulls it off, Williams won't be the only one saying "Thanks, mate."

He'll be hearing it from others who believe a loss pushes Tyson out of the game.