RingSide Report

World News, Social Issues, Politics, Entertainment and Sports

Paul Williams Vs Sergio Martinez II: The Winner Gets Manny Pacquiao

By Geno McGahee

It appears that I’m in the vast minority that believes that Floyd Mayweather, JR., will take on Manny Pacquiao in 2011. The most common belief is that Floyd will either find a more manageable opponent and find reasons not to fight Pacquiao, while the Filipino superstar either retires or takes one more big fight against the winner of this Saturday’s Paul Williams, 39-1, 27 KO’s, vs. Sergio Martinez, 45-2-2, 24 KO’s. HBO will be airing the fight.

In December of 2009, Paul Williams took on Sergio Martinez, a replacement for Kelly Pavlik. Martinez was known for getting ripped off in a bout with Kermit Cintron that was scored a draw, even though he knocked him out (which was somehow overlooked by the referee) and went on to dominate and walk away with a draw. Martinez is a guy that has to fight very hard for everything he’s gotten, and he was fortunate to take the place of an apprehensive Pavlik to take on one of the most avoided men in the sport, Paul Williams.

The majority favored Williams by a landslide and apparently, “The Punisher” thought so too as he rushed Martinez, flooring him in the opening round. Martinez had a tough time with the pressure but maintained his poise and would return the favor, knocking down Williams with a right hook, the punch that found a home with the most regularity and the punch that he will attempt to use with more effectiveness come Saturday.

Since their bout, Williams has gone on to defeat Kermit Cintron by technical decision in a strange fight where both fighters got tangled up and fell. Williams hit the canvas and Cintron was launched out of the ring and out of the fight, taken away in an ambulance. The fight had just started heating up and it was rather even at the point of the stoppage and it was an unsatisfying fight for both men.

Martinez moved up to middleweight and defeated Kelly Pavlik to capture the WBC and WBO Middleweight Titles. Martinez weathered the heavy punches of Pavlik, used his mobility and footwork to confuse and eventually batter him over the course of 12 rounds, easily taking the decision and setting up this rematch with Williams. Martinez has the momentum going in.

The first fight was an all out war, a much better than expected brawl between two men that are fighting for not only championships but respect, and they have found each other and the fans have found what could be a long string of fights between the two. Martinez is smarter and Williams is more determined, and this fight could go either way, although I favor Martinez.

With this fight so close in proximity to the Pacquiao – Antonio Margarito bout, the winner will be fresh on the mind as a challenger for Manny should Floyd opt out, which is suspected. Pacquiao vs. Martinez would be a challenge because of the incredibly skill and mobility of Martinez, and Paul Williams throws so many punches and is so large that he would certainly be a handful for the Filipino warrior.

Outside of bragging rights, there is a lot riding on this fight Saturday night, especially if Manny takes interest in the winner as his next opponent. You won’t want to miss this war on Saturday night.

On the untelevised undercard, Tony Thompson, 34-2, 22 KO’s, returns to action against Paul Marinaccio, 24-5-3, 11 KO’s, in a 10 round heavyweight encounter. Thompson is still a guy to watch in the division and could still be a factor against the Klitschko brothers with more experience and confidence. When he froze against Wladimir, he still did rather well. If he can overcome his anxiety at the big events, then he will be a player in the division.

RSR Has Two Openings For Boxing Interviewers

Advertise Now On RSR

Purchase Boxing Interviews Of A Lifetime

Leave a Reply