Danny Williams is set to realise his dream of a second world title shot if he successfully defends his British heavyweight title against John McDermott in Dagenham on July 18.

Williams, who famously knocked out Mike Tyson in 2004 before being crushed in a WBC title challenge to Vitali Klitschko five months later, is on a short-list of possible opponents for current WBC champion Samuel Peter.

Representatives of the Peter camp are expected to be at ringside in Dagenham and the fighter's promoter Dino Duva has already held talks with Frank Maloney over a possible showdown in London in the autumn.

Maloney, a close friend of Duva's for 17 years, said: "We were close to making a fight between Danny and Peter for this month, but TV schedules didn't work out.

"Danny's defence against John is now virtually a world title eliminator and a big punch could land one of them the jackpot.

"Danny has been revitalised in his last four fights, and is still known in America for his amazing win over Tyson and incredible bravery against Vitali Klitschko."

Williams, 34, has resurrected his career after his third-round knockout defeat to Audley Harrison in December 2006 which had appeared to spell the end of the road.

In December last year he travelled to Switzerland to face hot prospect Oleg Platov and was clearly winning the fight when it was stopped controversially after four rounds and declared a no contest.

And in May this year Williams went to Spain to face unbeaten Ukrainian Konstantin Airich, winning by seventh-round knockout despite being knocked to the canvas three times.

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