 Williams won in controversial fashion |
Brixton's Danny Williams retained his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles with a fifth-round victory over Michael Sprott in Reading. The 30-year-old Londoner controversially floored his opponent while Sprott was protesting a low blow but the referee stopped the fight.
Williams picked up an early warning from referee Terry O'Connor but the opening three rounds remained level, with both boxers looking to work their way in behind the left jab.
Sprott looked to be gaining an advantage but he was checked by a count late in the fourth round after taking a low blow.
And when exactly the same thing happened early in the fifth local hero Sprott dropped his hands to complain.
But Williams kept going, launching a huge left hook to Sprott's undefended chin which sent him sprawling to the canvas.
The referee waved an immediate halt with just 19 seconds of the round gone and called for paramedics.
The crowd made clear their displeasure and chants of "cheat" rang around the arena long after the fight ended.
Williams beat Sprott in the seventh round when the pair first fought for the titles at Bethnal Green's York Hall 18 months ago.
But in February he lost a European title fight against Turkey's Sinan Samil Sam in Berlin, while Sprott won all eight fights since.
MMIX
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