Scott Welch believes Danny Williams will leave the world title arena in the early hours of tomorrow just as he himself did seven years ago: considerably richer but a beaten man.

Welch, who shared trainer Jim McDonnell and more than 30 rounds of sparring experience with Williams, was beaten by Henry Akinwande in a world title fight in Nashville in 1997.

The former British heavyweight champion from Shoreham feels Williams will endure similar fortunes when he takes on WBC champion Vitali Klitschko in Las Vegas tomorrow morning.

Welch reckons the Londoner's sensational victory over Mike Tyson earlier this year has given him a false sense of confidence.

He said: "Danny has always lacked confidence and the Tyson win gave him some.

"But he will admit to himself that it was a bit of false confidence which means he won't have 100 per cent belief that he can beat Klitschko.

"Great trainers have come out and said Williams is an unbelievable fighter after he defeated Tyson but he didn't beat the real Mike Tyson.

Winner "Had I beaten Julius Francis in my last fight in 1999 I was told the winner would face Tyson was and I believe Tyson was ready for the taking then. Julius, though, made Tyson look good by walking straight onto him.

"Tyson was just under 17 stone when Danny fought him and Tyson at his best was around 15st 10lb. Danny faced a shell of the great fighter Tyson was.

"Danny's a big, powerful, strong guy. I should know because of the amount of sparring I've done with him. I'd love to see him win because he is a gentleman and he deserves it and he will be looking for every way to give him an edge.

"Danny has spoken about his Muslim faith and if that gives him that something extra then good luck to him.

"He won't outbox the champion but he has a puncher's chance because Klitschko likes to come forward.

"If Danny can keep the fight going he might get a chance late on but, unless you are a good puncher like Tyson in his prime, it usually takes more than one punch to put an opponent down these days because fighters have increased their fitness levels."

Klitschko was stopped on a cut against Lennox Lewis, the former world champion who has since retired, when they fought last year and Welch thinks Williams might be able to repeat that by re-opening the wound.

But the 36-year-old, who still trains young fighters with Hove ABC, believes Williams will be outpointed.

He said: "Danny is durable and has a good defence. But he is coming in at 19st 4lb which will make him too heavy on his feet. I felt that in the Tyson fight, but I was proved wrong. I hope I'm proved wrong again but I can't see it.

"You just have to look at the form book. Klitschko has been in with guys of a lot higher quality like Lennox Lewis.

"Two fights ago Danny lost in a British title fight to Michael Sprott. With all due respect to Sprott, he's not world class.

"Klitschko is built like a barn door. He has broad shoulders and is a massive man.

"He fights in a typically eastern European style with his hands and guard up high. He is more of a puncher than Akinwande and much lighter on his feet.

"Danny might have been working on his footwork but he can't improve that much in such a short space of time."

Welch admits fighting in America stacked the odds against him.

He said: "There were only 20 in the 20,000 crowd who were cheering me on. The fact Danny is fighting over there will make a massive difference, although he might get some support because he's beaten Tyson."

The advice Welch offers Williams is simple.

He said: "Danny must go out there and give it his best shot, that's all he can do.

"I know his head will be right because that is what Jim McDonnell is good at.

"Danny can't lose because he'll come out with just over £1m. I believe the experience will provide a stepping stone for him to go back to the domestic scene, reclaim his British title and come back and take a world crown."

Welch had planned to fly out to the United States to be ringside when the fight was scheduled to be in New York.

l The Sussex Ex-Boxers hold their monthly meeting at the Conservative Club, Blatchington Road, Hove tomorrow with former World middleweight champion Alan Minter attending (11am).