Paul Williams and Antonio Margarito both have something to prove on Saturday night. Williams is looking to enhance his reputation as one of the best fighters in the world while Martgarito is looking to remind everyone that he is still a relevant force. Unless the big fight between Manny Pacquio and Floyd Mayweather comes off, then Margarito is the most likely next opponent for Pacquiao if he gets past Roberto Garcia. Meaning he will probably ave to drop back down to welterweight after this fight anyway. Away from the game for a year because of his loaded hand wrap suspension, Margarito will be looking to prove that he is still one of the elite at either 154lbs or 147lbs without any outside assistance. Williams and his management have been vocal about the fact that he is one of the most avoided men in boxing. Williams claims he is the best in three divisions but hasn’t had the chance to prove himself. Certainly he has a valid claim at middleweight, having beaten current champion Sergio Martinez , albeit controversially in his last outing. At junior middleweight many have Williams as the top dog already, and a win over the number two in Cintron would strengthen his claim. By the looks of things though the habitual division jumper will soon be on his way again though, given that Sergio Martinez is apparently eager for a rematch in the near future. If Martinez ends up fighting Kelly Pavlik or Floyd Mayweather first, then all the better for Williams, who has tried and failed to get both in the ring in the past.
Which fights get made after Williams/Cintron and Margarito/Garcia Williams vs. Pavlik Margarito vs. Pacquiao Margarito vs. Cotto Margarito vs. Cintron Williams vs. Margarito Williams vs. Martinez Margarito vs. Martinez Williams vs. Mayweather
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At welterweight, Williams isn’t someone the biggest names are eager to take on, largely because of his physical advantages and the fact that the best in the division at the moment are all fairly small for welterweight themselves, all having moved up from the lower divisions. In a strange twist of fate though, Williams and Margarito are almost the perfect match up for each other should they both get wins this weekend. Williams needs a top opponent to keep him relevant at welterweight if he is insistent at challenging the likes of Mayweather and Pacquiao. Margarito has been challenged by Martinez, who he beat back in 2000. Taking on Williams, who he isn’t at a huge height disadvantage against, would be the perfect segway to getting another crack at Martinez, not to mention it would knock off another potential challenger to the middleweight crown. Related Slideshows:
Speaking to the local fans, although most are hoping Reading PA’s Cintron can pull it off, most I spoke to are betting on Williams. With his height, reach and volume of punches he is one of those fighters who is just difficult to fight against, and Cintron has relied on his power a little too much in the past. Williams’ one weakness seemingly is power but navigating the wheelhouse of his perpetually in motion fists is the real challenge. A loss for Cintron isn’t a huge disaster though, given that his other losses have both been against Margarito and are now questionable, moving back down to welterweight is always an option. If not then the roving Williams will probably move up or down in the near future again anyway. Glenn Harris, Pittsburgh: “I’m going with Cintron and Garcia for a double upset. Williams is overrated and Roach is training Garcia, plus Margarito has ring rust and no plaster in his gloves” Steve Scharmer, Philly: “I like Cintron being a local boy and all, but Williams is going to finish him. As for Margarito, who has ever heard of Garcia? This is an easy match to get him back in the public eye”
