May 8th is shaping up to be a solid night of boxing. In one corner we have the return of Antonio Margarito and in the other corner we have Paul Williams vs. Kermit Cintron. All 3 men definitely need the victory in order to get one step closer to a title shot and a big pay day. Margarito and Williams are the favorites and have the most to gain with a solid victory in their respective bouts. But, which one needs the victory the most Margarito or Williams? Antonio Margarito Margarito is making his return to boxing after a 1 year suspension for attempting to use plastered hand wraps in his fight with Shane Mosley back in January 2009. Antonio (37-6) is taking on Roberto Garcia (28-2) in a junior middleweight clash at Latin Fury 14 live from Aguascalientes, Mexico. Most boxing fans want to see what kind of shape Margarito is in, if he can return to championship form, and if he can contend for a title in the 147 or 154 weight class. Margarito acknowledged that he’s hungrier than ever and wants to get back into championship contention. “I am a lot hungrier than you can imagine, I want to return to the big fights and nobody’s going to remove that possibility, including Garcia.” Margarito, Press Conference Antonio is also in high demand. He has some big fight options on the table should he defeat Garcia. Sergio Martinez wants a rematch with Antonio and even possibly for Sergio’s WBC light middleweight title. And of course there’s the big fight against Manny Pacquiao that Top Rank’s ‘big dog’ Bob Arum wants to book for September or October. There’s no bigger stage for Antonio than a fight with Manny. Jose Sanchez Sacramento, CA “My boy Antonio needs this fight badly. A win and he’s back on top of the mountain.” George Edison Sacramento, CA “Antonio Margarito needs the victory to prove he’s not a cheater and get back his license in the US.” Alex Somers Folsom, CA “Margarito has a lot riding on this fight on May 8th.”
Paul Williams Paul Williams and Kermit Cintron are arguably fighting for the right to be a top contender in the 154lb weight class even though both were former welterweight champions. In Paul’s case, he’s said to want to go back down to 147. One of the biggest knocks against Williams is that he fights in 3 different weight classes. He tried to jump up to middleweight in fight Pavlik, he’s a former welterweight champions, and now he’s mixing it up in the 154 weight class which is loaded with plenty of talent like Yuri Foreman and Spinks. According to Paul, it doesnt matter which weight class he fights in: “I am confident and comfortable fighting in different weight classes and I will continue to do so for as long as I can and it is feasible. ?Whatever the weight is, my mindset is and always has been to fight to the end. I think that is my greatest advantage. I?m satisfied with the way things are going,” Williams, Press Conference Now it’s been said numerous times by Williams’ promoter, Dan Goossen, that Paul’s natural weight is 147 pounds and that Paul would like to get back down there and fight one of the big names. In fact, Paul has called out Floyd Mayweather Jr. In my recent article Paul Williams demands a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr ?Get into the ring with me?, I analyzed this potential fight. So not only does Paul Williams have a chance at getting into title contention in either the 147 or 154 weight classes, he also has a chance to fight on arguably the biggest stage in boxing if he were to secure a fight with Mayweather Jr. Tommy Jamison Citrus Heights, CA “Paul can become arguably the most feared boxer if he destroys Cintron.” Dusty Tylers Elk Grove, CA “Paul Williams will be 39-1 and can demand a title shot in 2 different weight classes if he beats Cintron.”
Conclusion Both fighters have a lot to fight for. Margarito can get his US license back and a potential fight with Pacquiao; Williams can become the top contender in 2 weight classes and move near the front of the line for a shot at Floyd Jr.
Who do you readers think needs the victory more: Margarito or Williams?
