| |
|
|
Dannie Williams Preparing To
KO Hank Lundy
& Take His NABF Lightweight Title
The most dangerous puncher in the lightweight division,
World Boxing Council ("WBC") Continental Americas champion
Dannie Williams, sooner rather than later, plans to add the
North American Boxing Federation ("NABF") belt to his
growing collection.
The NABF crown is presently worn by flashy Philadelphia
boxer "Hammerin" Hank Lundy (21-1-1, 11 KOs). The NABF ruled
that Lundy make his mandatory title defense against the top
contender, No. 2 rated Williams (No. 1 is unrated), but
Williams' co-promoters, Rumble Time Promotions and DiBella
Entertainment, were unable to successfully negotiate a deal
with Lundy's promoter, Classic Entertainment and Sports.
The NABF has ordered a purse bid to be held January 4 with a
60-40 split in favor of the reigning champion (Lundy). Lundy
vs. Williams has been tentatively scheduled for March,
pending the outcome of the purse bid and, of course, Lundy
accepting the challenge.
The 27-year-old Williams (20-1, 16 KOs), fighting out of St.
Louis, has been dominant in his last four fights,
respectively defeating Manuel Leyva (KO1), Oscar Cuero
(DEC10), Antonio Cervantes (KO4) and John Willoughby (KO2).
What separates the multi-talented Williams from other
lightweight contenders is his pure knockout power. Fans
watching his fight last August against Cervantes on ESPN
Friday Night Fights saw Williams' unbridled punching power,
resulting in a devastating knockout that was the No. 1
highlight on the ESPN Sportscenter countdown.
"I'm looking forward to this fight," WBC #11rated Williams
said. "It's a great opportunity for me. Lundy's a good
fighter who comes to fight. I like him as a fighter, I
really do, but he's been knocked out and dropped a few
times.
"I'm a knockout puncher with 16 KOs in my 20 wins. I'm not
talking about TKOs when the ref stops the fight. (Half of
Dannie's stoppages have been pure KOs, including his last
three.) The refs don't even start counting because they know
my opponent is hurt. I know Lundy's going to try and use his
speed, but I can box with him, and I hit extra hard. I hurt
guys I fight. Lundy can talk all he wants but that's going
to happen to him, too."
Williams is scheduled to fight January 6 in Key West,
Florida in an eight-round bout against Mexican veteran
Fernando "The Thief" Trejo (33-17-6, 19 KOs), who has only
been stopped once, by Bobby Pacquiao, in his pro career.
"Dannie wants to fight the best lightweights in the world,"
Rumble Star Promotions president Steve Smith commented. "He
won't dodge anyone. This is a fight fans will love to see --
two guys who fight, not dance. Sometimes, I think, people
forget we're in the entertainment business and that fans
make our business.
"The winner of this fight should be fighting for a world
title by the end of 2012. I know the hardest puncher in the
135-pound division is 'Dangerous Dannie.' If Lundy thought
(John) Molina could punch, just wait until he feels the
power in both of Williams' hands. He won't be able to get up
like he did against Molina. They'll have to quickly get the
paramedics and doctor into the ring. With a chin like
Lundy's, well, let's say I'm frightened for him."
Rated among the top 11 in three of the major governing
bodies, as high as No. 4 in the WBC, Lundy is the former
NABO lightweight champion who lost that crown 14 months ago,
when he was stopped by Molina on ESPN Friday Night Fights in
the 11th round. Two fights later, Lundy defeated Patrick
Lopez by 10-round decision for the vacant NABF title. In his
first title defense this past August, Lundy got off the mat
in the fourth to knockout David Diaz in the sixth.
"I can't wait for this fight," Williams' trainer Jack Loew
remarked. "It's a great opportunity for Dannie. I think Hank
Lundy is totally overrated. He's been matched very
carefully; they've done a great job with him. He's a good
fighter with some skills, but, if you fight somebody like
Dannie Williams, you better not have a weak chin like
Lundy's. Everybody saw what happened when he stepped-up
against Molina. Diaz hurt him and he's not even much of a
puncher.
"We're ready to fight Lundy and I hope he takes on Dannie.
He will not take a chin-check from Dannie Williams and for
that the reason, unfortunately, I can't see them taking this
fight. I honestly believe we're going to end-up fighting for
the vacant NABF title."
|
|
|
