Heavyweight John McDermott Primed For British Title Challenge

Posted on | July 7, 2008 | No Comments

English heavyweight champion John McDermott says the talk of Danny Williams getting a title shot against world champion Samuel Peter later this year is disrespectful.

McDermott is slated to challenge British champion Williams on Friday, July 18 at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham, England, and is furious at being considered a formality to be disposed of.

“If people are thinking that I am just turning up, they’re wrong,” said McDermott. “I want the opportunity to fight for a legitimate world title, so I’ve been preparing for this for a long time and I also want to banish memories of my British title fight against Matt Skelton a few years ago.”

McDermott, 25-3 (16), knows that this is a golden opportunity to gatecrash the world ratings and has left nothing undone in his quest to defeat Williams, 39-6 (31). “I’ve sparred over 130 rounds and I am physically and mentally ready for this crack at the British heavyweight title,” said the 28 year old Essex man.

The bill at the Goresbrook on July 18 also sees Commonwealth light welter champion Ajose Olusegun, 23-0 (12), making an appearance. The Nigerian born, London based southpaw is ranked #4 by the WBC and promoter Frank Maloney has made an offer for Olusegun to face WBC champion Timothy Bradley, but so far there has been no response from the Bradley camp.

The undercard features former British bantamweight champion Martin Power, 19-3 (8), who is on the hunt for his former title. Power knows that should he win his bout on the 18th, he will get a chance to challenge Commonwealth title holder Jason Booth.

Also scheduled to appear is the 5 foot 10 inch tall bantamweight version of Tommy Hearns, the world ranked South African sensation, Tshifhiwa Munyai, 16-0-1 (8), as well as fast-handed London featherweight Akaash Bhatia, 11-0 (2), big punching Belfast heavyweight Scott Belshaw, 8-1 (7), and Kent welterweight Scott Woolford, 7-1 (1).

Frank Maloney Promotions presents “Collision Course”, the British heavyweight title fight between Danny Williams and John McDermott with full undercard on Friday, July 18, 2008 at the Goresbrook Leisure Center in Dagenham, England.

Tickets are priced at £85 and £45 and are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office at 0871 226 1508.

Sky Sports will televise live on SS1 at 10PM.