Daniel Williams (born July 13, 1973, London, England) is a British professional heavyweight boxer, and former Commonwealth champion. Williams' trainer is Jim McDonnell and his manager is Frank Warren.

Early years

After a respectable amateur career, Williams turned pro in 1995 knocking out Vance Ideans in two rounds. He fought routinely on Frank Warren undercards and compiled a 15-0 (12 knockouts).

He took his first big step up in April of 1999 to challenge Julius Francis for his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. A hot favourite, Williams was outboxed and lost a lopsided points decision to the 34 year old veteran.

Francis would later vacate the Commonwealth title for a big money fight with a severely aged Mike Tyson, and Williams won the title with a closely contested split decision over respected British contender Harry Senior. Later in 1999, whilst in Turkey as a Christian, he heard the Muslim call for prayer, the adhaan. This led him to find out more on Islam, to which he then converted.

After the world title challenge

In July 2005, Williams failed to show up for his scheduled British heavyweight championship fight against Matt Skelton. Promoter Frank Warren commented that Williams "had lost his bottle" and should retire. Williams cited ill health.

He was back by December for a crossroads fight with long time bitter rival Audley Harrison for the Commonwealth title. The fight would become infamous for its lack of action, however Williams did a little more, including a knockdown of the negative Harrison in the 10th, winning a close split decision.

Williams would retain his Commonwealth title in March 2006 with another close split decision over Matt Skelton in a bloody fight. However when a world title fight failed to materialise, the two met again, this time with Williams unbelievably weighing in at well over 20 stone (280 ibs). Williams was outpointed in one-sided fashion.

In December 2006 when Skelton dropped out of a fight with Audley Harrison, Williams stepped in at a weeks notice, although by his own admission he had been training for eight weeks for a fight with British champion Scott Gammer. This time around Harrison fought far more aggressively, decking Williams twice, splitting open his nose and left eye, and winning in three bloody rounds.

He was given a shot at the British title in March 2007 and admitted himself that this was his last chance at heavyweight redemption. The constantly unpredictable Danny Williams shocked everyone at the Gammer weigh in by turning up at a very trim 16st 4 which was his lightest since his professional debut back in 1995. Round one of the fight started with Danny attacking Gammer and taking the initiative, but the fight was a very nervewracking and up and down performance until the 9th round when Danny came out, pinned Gammer to the ropes and showed the aggression, speed and power that stunned Tyson. Gammer was felled after Danny detonated two crunching righ hands to the head and although he was up at the count of ten, the referee rightly stopped the fight. His 37th victory not only meant that Danny won the British title for the second time. He also revealed that his 'secret trainer' was actually himself! After initial thoughts of retirement Williams has decided to continue with his boxing career and according to reports from Frank Warren is targeting a second shot at the European Heavyweight title with current holder Vladimir Virchis which may take place in Germany later this year.
Source : Wikipedia