You never know what you are going to get with Paul ?The Punisher? Williams. The 6’2 fighter has migrated between 147 and 160 pounds in recent years while testing himself against an interesting list of quality opponents, sometimes rising above expectations and every once in a while performing less stellar than expected.
Currently the Ring Magazine?s #7 ranked fighter in the world, Williams has called out the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto and others in recent years yet is still in the search for a big time dance partner. The 29-year old has already made his mark in the sport and we are all wanting more from him.
Upside
A non-stop punching machine, Williams is a fan favorite and has found himself in many dog fights in the ring. His July 2007 victory over Antonio Margarito stands out as the highlight of his career as Williams edged out his Tijuana foe over twelve grueling rounds. On that night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, Williams got off to a fast start before surviving a hellacious late round rally from Margarito. In the process he picked up the WBO Welterweight crown and stamped himself as a star to look out for.
Williams has a tremendous work rate and is never afraid of engaging in action in the trenches. He has shown a solid chin in his fights as well as the willingness to take on any and all comers. He also holds victories of former champions Winky Wright, Carlos Quintana, Verno Phillips, Kermit Cintron and Sharmba Mitchell as well as Middleweight champion Sergio Martinez.
Downside
What has been alarming about Williams is his lack of a defense, as he has always seemed to catch hard, flush shots on the chin. This was evidenced especially during his decision loss to Quintana in February of 2008 as well as his life and death struggle against Martinez in December of last year. To his credit Williams has always taken a solid punch but in the sport of boxing it is always good practice to tighten up your D.
For all of his talents and ambitions Williams hasn?t really gotten the desired opponents to face him consistently. He was scheduled to face former Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik last year on two occasions but the Youngstown, Ohio fighter pulled out because of a staph infection on his left hand. A fight like that would have thrust Williams into the spotlight like never before.
In living color
So far you could say that Williams career could be defined by freakish build, non-stop activity in the ring, his desires towards facing the world?s best, and the peculiar fashion in which he is always rising and dropping in weight. Click on the image gallery below to access images of Williams.
Quotable
“I know I needed to win the early rounds because Margarito always comes on in the second half of a fight. But I thought I held my own in the second half.” ? Williams after his hard-fought battle with Margarito in which he survived a second half rally from his aggressive foe.
?I don?t do a lot of talking; I do my talking in the Ring. I just want to work hard and have a good time.? ? Williams leading into his fight with Wright
?I don?t say this in a derogatory manner, because I appreciate the man since the amateurs and I respect him. But Paul Williams is a freak of nature. Bottom line. He?s talented and he?s dangerous because he?s such an odd commodity. I think eventually him moving back and forth between 147 and 160 pounds is going to catch up to him. I think eventually this kid will go to Jr. Middleweight and Middleweight which is where he belongs.? ? Respected trainer Naazim Richardson giving his thoughts on Williams
The future
Williams is coming off of a disappointing four-round decision win over Cintron that saw the bout head to the cards after Kermit fell through the ropes and was unable to continue. There have been rumblings going around that negotiations have continued for a Williams-Martinez rematch. It would be a great way for Paul to close out the year as their first fight was an excellent back and forth affair. Martinez? career is at an all time high following his April victory over Pavlik that netted him the WBC and WBO middleweight titles.
