After a chance meeting with Frank Warren in a London pub, The enigmatic cut man “Mick the Knife” has tended to every boxer’s nightmare.
When asked about his first boxing match as a cornerman, he cannot remember his first fight. “I do not know when it was, but I had brown hair,” he joked.
It was 1981, and when Frank Warren needed an extra cornerman, he called on Mick to help him out. He obliged, and a couple of years later, with help from Danny Holland and Ernie Fossey, Mick learned the cuts trade and has gone on to master his art.
The London cabbie has been nursing of Ricky Hatton and David Haye’s likes in a lengthy career, which has earned him the admiration of being widely known as the business’s best cutman.
Ricky Hatton would almost certainly have lost to John Thaxton in 2000, but by his own admission, the worst he’s dealt with was in early 2010 in Liverpool, when he saved Paul Smith’s British Super-Middleweight Title in his 12-round war with Tony Dodson.
Smith was involved in several head clashes, which resulted in three terrible gashes to his head and eyes. ‘Smigga’ needed 20 stitches at the end of the fight. Smith even admitted that without Mick, the referee would have stopped the fight, and he would have lost his title. I am positive he isn’t the only one.
12 Rounds with Mick Williamson
(ROUND 1) What’s the best fight you have been involved in, Mick?
“Has to be Ricky Hatton v Kostya Tszyu in 2005, when Ricky won his first World Title.”
(ROUND 2) What’s the best fight you have ever seen?
“Sugar Ray Robinson v Carmen Basilio in 1957.”
(ROUND 3) What’s the most challenging part of being a cut man?
“Staying calm under pressure.”
(ROUND 4) Who do you wish you had cornered for?
“Alan Minter.”
(ROUND 5 ) Best Trainer you have worked with?
“Billy Graham.”
(ROUND 6) Dream Fight: Who vs. Who?
“Lennox Lewis v Riddick Bowe.”
(ROUND 7) Childhood Hero?
“Joe Louis.”
(ROUND 8) Favorite all-time Boxer?
“Sugar Ray Robinson.”
(ROUND 9) What do you do when you’re not involved in Boxing?
“Drive my cab.”
(ROUND 10) What would you change in Boxing?
“Too many Titles.”
(ROUND 11) What’s your favorite Boxing Venue?
“The Albert Hall.”
(ROUND 12) Finally, Mick…tell us something we don’t know about you.
“I am going bald! Ha Ha.”
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