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British Boxing Board tell Williams to retire

ESPN staff
April 1, 2011
Danny Williams once beat Mike Tyson © Getty Images
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The British Boxing Board of Control has expressed "grave reservations" about Danny Williams' decision to continue fighting under a Latvian licence.

The former British heavyweight champion - who famously beat Mike Tyson in 2004 - was warned not to bother applying for a British boxing licence by the BBBofC after coming out of retirement following successive defeats to journeymen. As a result, the 37-year-old Williams explored his options and ended up applying for, and receiving, a Latvian licence, under the initials 'DPW'.

Williams fought in Germany last month, beating Frank Roth in the second round, and is scheduled to face Laszlo Toth in the same country next week. But Robert Smith, general secretary of the BBBofC, has urged Williams to reconsider his situation.

"Danny wouldn't be granted a licence by the British Board. He retired and when he wanted to come back he was advised that he should retire," Smith told the Daily Telegraph. "Danny has been a wonderful servant to boxing. I do have grave reservations about what he is doing. He should walk away before he gets hurt."

Elsewhere, the Board have handed heavyweight world champion David Haye "a severe warning over his conduct", over comments, suggesting he had bet on himself to win, the WBA title-holder made in the wake of his victory over Audley Harrison.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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