Williams slams ref justice

9:06am Saturday 19th July 2008

British heavyweight champion Danny Williams slammed referee Dave Parris after clinging on to his title with a controversial majority points decision victory over John McDermott in Dagenham.

Williams was deducted three points for separate infringements in the final two rounds of the contest but the judges still deemed he had done enough to earn a 114-111, 114-113, 113-113 verdict.

Williams, who was also deducted multiple points during his win over Konstantin Airich in his previous fight in Bilbao in April, said: ``I just can't believe my bad luck. My third points deduction was for spitting out my gumshield, but it fell out when I was telling McDermott to stop holding me and let me fight."

He added: ``The referee didn't penalise him once. I was petrified and I thought with three points off I'd lost the fight. I'm just so thankful the judges were watching the right fight and gave me the verdict.''

The Brixton man also had to survive a torrid fifth round, in which McDermott caught him with a right hand early and proceeded to batter the champion around the ring with referee Parris watching closely, poised to step in.

Williams added: ``John was throwing and throwing and he has got great workrate for a heavyweight. But regardless of whether my motivation is there or not, my heart will always prevail.''

Editors Choice