Boxing: "Danny can beat Tyson" - Francis

Danny Williams can make boxing history and defeat Iron Mike Tyson on July 30, says common opponent Julius Francis.

Former British & Commonwealth Champion Francis, the elder statesman of British heavyweight boxing, fought Tyson in 2000 and also has split a brace of fights with Williams and so is ideally placed to assess his countryman's chances in Louisville, Kentucky.

"I've been hearing that Danny will get knocked out in one or two rounds, but that isn't going to happen," Francis told SecondsOut. "I think Danny is well capable of winning this fight if he goes in there with an attitude. Danny hits hard enough to get Tyson's respect, believe me. Tyson hasn't been hit in two years and retire, mentally, after Lennox Lewis beat him up in 2002. If Danny gets on top even for a second, Tyson won't want to know."