Williams-Martinez I
WILLIAMS & NEW CHAMP SET FOR REMATCH
New York City, NY- On November 20th, Paul Williams (39-1 27 KOs) will take on Sergio Martinez (45-2-2 24 KOs) in a rematch for Martinez’s newly acquired middleweight (160 lb.) title that he snatched from Kelly Pavlik last time out. Although Williams previously defeated Martinez at jr. middleweight (154) in a very close bout, he now seems concerned about facing Martinez at a higher weight. Interestingly, Williams has asked for a weight stipulation of no higher than 158 lbs. despite the 160 lb. title being on the line. Williams (the taller man) has fought in the division before so it appears to be a strange move, especially given Martinez is not a natural or big middleweight himself. Williams and his camp obviously believe this move will be to his advantage. But is this a sign of fear or is there another explanation?
PAUL THINKING ABOUT WELTER AGAIN?
Paul Williams’ five straight wins north of the welterweight (147) division do not indicate significant problems with added weight. In his first bout at middleweight he knocked out prospect Andy Kolle in the first round. He also beat tough veterans, Winky Wright and Verno Phillips at 160 and 154 respectively. But throughout his tour in higher divisions Williams has insisted he would like to return to 147. He’s even called out the division’s biggest stars, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., although it’s a long shot that either of those bouts will be made. And because there aren’t other big names at 147 aside from Andre Berto and possibly Shane Mosley, a move back to 147 doesn’t seem to make much sense. Perhaps Paul doesn’t want to fight as a full fledge middleweight due to an impending return to divisions south or 160 but without opponents waiting on him there’s simply not much credibility to that angle.
DOES SERGIO HAVE BIG MENTAL EDGE?
Williams has carried a reputation as a feared man in the sport and is supposed to be a throwback guy who will fight anyone. This is one of the reasons that he claimed for moving up, as he couldn’t find enough competition at welterweight. But in the spirit of taking on bigger challenges, the idea of taking a middleweight title bout at 158 lbs. seems to go against the grain of Paul’s character. Williams has never asked for a catch weight, despite an immediate jump from 147 to 160, so why now? It appears that even in losing the first fight, Martinez may have shook Paul enough to believe that needs all the help he can get in the rematch. Either the Martinez trouncing of Pavlik has shaken Paul, or Paul thinks Martinez pulled a Roberto Duran by gaining a lot of weight and wants him to work it to 158?
WHAT HAPPENED TO “PUNISHING PAUL?”
While it’s debatable concerning a smaller fighter like Manny Pacquiao to fight bigger men at catch weights, it’s ridiculous for Williams to do so for this title bout. At 6’2, Williams naturally has a frame built for light heavyweight (175) but has a remarkable ability to make weight as low as the welterweight division (147). Despite having success, Williams has looked sloppy in his last two bouts and it’s possible that he’s simply slipping. It’s been my opinion that he’s overrated. And with an unnecessary weight stipulation levied against a man he’s beaten, it’s possible that he’s starting to believe it too. If so, Williams may have already lost his next bout before stepping in the ring.
Jarrad Woods