It was very controversial, but Danny Williams held onto his British heavyweight title after a point’s victory over John McDermott on Friday. With the fight extremely even, Williams was deducted three points and this appeared to hand victory to McDermott. However, the outcome surprised everyone – including Williams.

The 35-year-old was handed a majority decision victory, a result which outraged McDermott and surprised Williams. After a tense battle, it seemed that the Essex boxer had done enough for victory and he certainly believed he had won the fight.

It was a far from comfortable night for Williams – who once beat Mike Tyson – and it all seemed to be going horribly wrong in the fifth round. McDermott caught him with an upper cut on the chin and it was a huge struggle for Williams to make it through the remaining moments of the round.

From then on, the fight was even. In all honesty, it wasn’t exactly an enthralling contest. However, in the final two rounds Williams was deducted three points – one for a low blow, one for pushing his opponent away and one for spitting out his gum shield. At this stage, the McDermott camp thought they had done enough and so did the majority of people watching.

However, despite being close to being knocked out in the fifth round and losing vital points towards the end of the fight, Williams was handed a 114-113, 114-111, 113-113 victory. McDermott was shell shocked. Afterwards he said that ‘I thought I’d won’. Even Williams admitted that he was ‘relieved’ to be awarded the win.

Williams is targeting a World title shot soon, but as far as I am concerned – he can forget about it based on this performance. In terms of boxing betting, I wouldn’t back him to be a World Champion any time soon. I know the heavyweight division isn’t in the best of eras, but I still don’t think Williams has what it takes.

McDermott fought well, but he isn’t a world beater and he shouldn’t have tested Williams as much as he did. Is it time for Williams to give up his dream? I think so, but I wouldn’t bank on him doing so right now. He is so desperate to prove his critics wrong. It will be interesting to see what his next move is.

Written by Thomas Rooney - A Freelance Sports Journalist