Aberdeen boxer Lee McAllister says next month’s heavyweight showdown with Danny Williams will be the biggest challenge of his career.
Williams, best known for knocking out Mike Tyson in 2004, will have a major height, weight and reach advantage over the Aberdeen Assassin when the pair meet at the Beach Ballroom on Saturday July 28.
McAllister will move up several divisions to take on the former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion.
At 6ft 3in and 18st 13lb, Williams will tower over McAllister but the Aberdonian believes he is up to the task.
The 35-year-old said: “This is the biggest challenge I have faced as he is massive.
“He is like a train.
“I am sitting at 14st 7lb and I am ready to go. I am getting fitter every day.
“I am looking forward to sharing the ring with one of my heroes. He is the
man who crushed Mike Tyson and finished his career.
“This is going to be a massive fight. It is massive, not just for myself, but it will probably be one of the biggest fights staged in Scotland.”
Demand for tickets to see the intriguing bout is likely to outweigh supply with the city venue only able to hold 1,100 people.
McAllister added: “He has said he will stop me in three rounds but I think I can cause him a lot of problems.
“I am a champion at four weights and he will need to deal with my speed.
“I’m so excited to share the ring with a man of his calibre and see how I get on.
“He is a big boy, so I will have to rely on being a clever boxer.
“I believe I can handle anyone when it comes down to boxing ability.
“He is coming off three wins this year and they have all been first-round knockouts, so he is still very dangerous.
“I just need to make sure I move quickly and he doesn’t catch me.
“It will be a gruelling 12 rounds.”
Williams, 44, fought Vitali Klitschko for the WBC world title in Las Vegas after defeating Tyson but was stopped in the eighth round.
He said: “I have accepted the fights over the last few years to keep my daughters in private school.
“I grew up in Brixton where people were getting shot and stabbed and I want to keep them away from that.
“It is going to be a massive challenge for Lee.
“I think he believes he can take me but he is in for a rude awakening.
“It is a very dangerous fight for Lee. He is a really cool guy but I am going to have to hurt him.”
Proceeds from the event will go towards the Assassin Health and Fitness Village, McAllister’s vision for a multi-million pound facility to help people with disabilities, recovering cancer patients, people with mental health issues, recovering addicts and the homeless.