(A delirious-looking Arturo Gatti, pictured here shortly after being knocked out in the 7th round by Alfonso Gomez) 15.07.07 – By Mike Cassell: Kermit Cintron (28–1, 26 KO’s) vindicated himself on the boardwalk in Atlantic City against a very tough Walter Matthysse (26–2, 25 KO’s). Cintron destroyed Matthysse 29 seconds into the second round and retained his IBF welterweight crown.
Cintron just looked bigger, stronger and he looked like a more mature fighter, under the wings of Manny Stewart. Cintron has slipped slightly after his loss to Antonio Maragito, but showed he is a very talented young fighter. Cintron’s discipline, and pin point punches made a statement to the rest if the division. After the fight, he asked called out Shane Mosely. Hey Kermit, how about calling out Cotto?
Arturo Gatti (40–9, 31 KO’s) was a shell of his former self, and showed the world the Thunder is finally gone, as Alfonso Gomez (17–3–2, 8 KO’s) totally destroyed the hero of Boardwalk hall Saturday night in Atlantic City. From round one Gatti was out punched, by a guy who doesn’t have much of a punch, and out boxed easily by the former Contender hopeful. Larry Hazard was forced to put a halt to the fight, as Gatti lay helpless, and beaten, after several hard combinations put Gatti on his knee’s in the 7th round. Gatti officially announced his retirement tonight after the fight. Surprisingly, Gatti asked old foe Mickey Ward to be his trainer for this fight, he should have asked Ward to be honest with him, and not even considered stepping into the ring again. Yes, it was that bad.
Paul Williams 33 – 0 (24 KO’s) is called the unique freak by some, though last night we can all call him a real contender with a real chance of beating Miguel Cotto. Antonio Magarito (34–5, 24 KO’s) has become one of the most avoided and feared fighters in the welterweights in the world, and doosn’t seem to get the credit he deserves. In what started out as a lopsided fight in favor of Paul Williams, turned into a late round slugfest, which showed the warrior heart of both of these men. Williams took the WBO welterweight title by unanimous decision. Paul Williams deserves a shot at Cotto, but for some strange reason, everybody wants to fight Shane Mosely. Shane Mosely lost to Winky Wright and Vernon Forrest. Was beating Vargas enough to deserve a fight with Miguel Cotto? Williams wants Cotto or Mayweather. Unfortunately, neither want any of him.
Mike Cassell
The Philadelphia Boxing Report