Boxing: Williams Cuts Out Junk to Save Career

Danny Williams, the former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion, will enter the ring tonight after weighing in at his lightest for more than 11 years when he attempts to save his career in Neath where he challenges the current British champion Scott Gammer.

Williams, 33, provoked near-disbelief from onlookers when he scaled only 16st 4¾lb at yesterday's weigh-in, compared with 19st 1lb when he was knocked out in three rounds by Audley Harrison three months ago. Last July, when he was outpointed by Matt Skelton, Williams weighed a career-high 20st 8lb.

The Brixton fighter has employed the sports nutritionist Joe Dunbar, who worked in the Lennox Lewis camp for many years, to improve his diet. By his own admission, Williams has always fought an uphill battle to steer clear of cake shops and junk food. But, faced with a fight he knows he must win to retain any credibility, Williams has whipped himself into his best shape in years.

The 30-year-old Gammer, from Pembroke Dock in West Wales, is something of an unsung champion who is now taking on by far the most high-profile test of an undefeated professional career that began in 2002 - a year by which the experienced Williams had already had 27 fights and held British and Commonwealth titles.

Admitting to being shocked by Williams's appearance and weight, Gammer, who scaled a career-heaviest 17st 1¾lb yesterday, said: "I deliberately put on weight for this fight because we thought Danny would be at least 18 or 19 stone. But let's see what he can do against me when he gets in the ring. I don't get a lot of publicity outside Wales, but this is the most important fight of my career."

Williams, who destroyed Mike Tyson in four rounds in July 2004, holds no terrors for him. "I know all about Danny - at his best he can look terrific, but that was then. I will do what I always do . . . get in there and work it out a round at a time. The crowd will be behind me, which is to my advantage, and I mean to make the most of this opportunity."

The Commonwealth champion Skelton, who has not fought since facing Williams, will face Michael Sprott at London's ExCel Arena on May 26. The promoter, Frank Warren, is promising the winner a world title shot later in the year. Sprott knocked out Harrison in the third round at Wembley Arena last month.