Williams: No one respects Audley and I'll beat him in Prizefighter - 29/09/2009

DANNY Williams has taunted Prizefighter rival Audley Harrison by telling him: “No one respects you.”

Williams and Harrison are both in Barry Hearn’s latest eight-man, one-night Prizefighter event and could fight in a mouth-watering final.

The pair have met twice before and both won once, although Harrison was an emphatic winner with a third round stoppage the last time they fought in December 2006.

Danny Williams (left) and Audley Harrison may meet again in Prizefighter Heavyweights III. Picture: Lawrence Lustig

“Losing to Harrison was one of the worst moments in my career,” said 36-year-old Williams, the current British Champion.

“I beat him on points and he beat me but I only had eight days notice so I want to get revenge and show that it was not the real Danny Williams last time.

“I don’t know why but a lot of people don’t respect him – he’s a good fighter.

“But losing to him - to a fighter no one respects - hurt me big time and now I want revenge.

“I had very strong criticism after I lost to him and everyone was telling me to retire. My face was cut and swollen up and I needed stitches.

“After the defeat the loss played on my mind and was very painful. Even now it still bugs me and the only way to get rid of that is to get in there and beat him.

“I’m willing to risk my British title, which I love dearly, to fight Audley Harrison. If I lose any fight on October 2 then I will lose my title.

“The chance to fight him was the reason why I committed myself to Prizefighter.”

Prizefighter Heavyweights III takes place at London’s ExCel on October 2 with £32,000 going to the winner.

The draw, performed by boxing legend Mike Tyson, has placed Williams and Olympic gold medalist Harrison in separate halves of the draw.

Williams added: “I see myself as the favourite to win Prizefighter as no one has been to my level and no one has the heart that I have got so I believe I’m number one.

“I may not even fight Harrison but it’s a risk I’m prepared to take, although he’s Olympic Champion at three rounds so I believe I will fight him in the final.

“When we last fought, Harrison was as sharp as a razor but this time you will get a Danny Williams who is in tremendous shape – I’m training like a madman and my work rate would be off the hook.

Danny Williams and Audley Harrison have met twice before. Both have won once. Picture: Lawrence Lustig

“When Harrison lost to Martin Rogan I thought he would retire so this will be my only way I can fight him. If he loses in this I will never get to fight him and get revenge.”

Prizefighter tickets are going fast but some are still available at £40 or £80 from See Tickets on 0871 220 0260, www.seetickets.com or from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900. Every fight will be screened live on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports HD 2 from 9pm on Friday.

The quarter-final draw is 1. Scott Gammer v Coleman Barrett, 2. Danny Williams v Carl Baker, 3. Audley Harrison v Scott Belshaw, 4. Neil Perkins v Danny Hughes.

If one of the fighters wins a bout but is unable to compete in the next round (ie a bad cut) then one of two reserves will step into their place for the rest of the tournament. The two reserves are Paul Butlin (Melton Mowbray) and Lee Swaby (Lincoln).