20.08.06 – By Michael Cassell – The 25-year-old Paul “The Punisher” Williams, hailing from Aiken, Georgia, is 31 – 0 (23 KOs) and is ranked #1 by the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO. He took a national stage once again on HBO’s boxing after dark, or what I very respectfully call “The Max Kellerman Show”. The fighter Max calls “the unique freak”; thoroughly dismantled the battle tested former 140lb Champion Shamba Mitchell. Mitchell was on his back 4 times in 4 rounds, using his 82” reach to surgically destroy Mitchell, forcing ref Vic Draculich, to mercifully end the fight at 2:57 in round 4.
A better script could not have been written. Paul Williams is now Margaritio’s mandatory, and it is going to be interesting to see if the self proclaimed “baddest man around”, will fight Williams, or somehow get out of it. Williams has skills but, he is a little rough around the edges, and I think he takes some unnecessary shots. That being said, he has thrown himself into the mix, of a weight class, that is overflowing with talent, and ability.
Never before has the talent level between 140lbs to 160lbs been more apparent, and I can not remember the last time, this many quality grade fighters stepped up to be counted. This is truly a “dare to be great situation”, with so many names in the running, and only a very few are going to walk away intact. If you are a “true boxing fan”, then the boxing god’s are smiling down on you today.
Mike Cassell/Writer
Philaboxingreport.com
MC@philaboxingreport.com