By Ben Dirs

Williams to challenge Skelton

But his vow to wage war with the British heavyweight champion raised more than a few eyebrows.

Skelton's manager Frank Maloney clasped his hands together and looked skywards in prayer, well aware that an old-fashioned ding-dong will play into his charge's heavy hands.

The 38-year-old Skelton is as raw as they come and has brawled his way to the top of the domestic tree on the back of a tremendous heart and a prolific work-rate.

"I know I'm continually getting knocked by the critics because of my style," said the Bedford fighter. "It doesn't look pretty - but I get results."

And how. Skelton claimed the British and Commonwealth crowns in only his 13th bout and has won 15 of 16 inside the distance since switching to boxing from martial arts in 2002.

Michael Sprott, the man Skelton wrenched his belts from, had in turn won the titles from Williams on a controversial decision in January 2004.

Danny Williams is in for a pasting I'm afraid. He thinks far too much of himself! From MD Have your say on Five Live

Skelton swarmed all over the technically-superior Sprott for 11 and a half rounds before bringing him down and Williams will be playing a dangerous game going toe-to-toe.

Despite some positive spin, it is hard to believe Williams is not deflated at the prospect of a domestic match-up after his heroics on the world stage in 2004.

It is typical of this cruel sport that after a win over Mike Tyson and a brave world title defeat to Vitali Klitschko, Williams is now contemplating the end of his career.

That said, the Brixton fighter may be soothed by promoter Frank Warren's assurances that a win will lead to another world-title tilt later this year.

Warren himself remarked it was "like the old days" as the posse of journalists - some long lost - jostled for chairs in the hotel conference room.

He believes it's the biggest British heavyweight title fight in recent memory and without doubt a fine addition to the Ricky Hatton-Kostya Tszyu and Scott Harrison-Michael Brodie bills in June.

After several years of uninspiring fare, Warren is delivering big time in 2005. Intriguingly, he is also refusing to rule out a reconciliation with terrestrial TV.