14.06.08 – Up until the night of his 33rd professional fight last July, undefeated southpaw Paul Williams had to prove himself worthy of the declaration bestowed upon him as the Best Welterweight in the world and the most feared boxer on the planet. When he pounded out an impressive, unanimous decision win over, arguably, the then most avoided World Champion — Antonio Margarito — to capture the WBO World Welterweight Championship, the native of Aiken, SC, known as “The Punisher” solidified those claims.
However, in his first title defense back in February, the heavily favored Williams and his reputation took a major hit when he turned in a lackluster performance in losing his title – via unanimous decision – to the once beaten and underrated Carlos Quintana.
When Williams stepped into the ring at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT on Saturday night, June 7 for his rematch with Quintana on “SHOWTIME Championship Boxing,” he answered the one main question – can he beat the crafty Puerto Rican and prove that their first encounter was an off-night and he indeed is one of the best Welterweights in the World – yes he can and did in sensational style! The Punisher is back and again the “Most Feared Fighter in Boxing” today.
Williams joins some elite company being one of the few World Champions to lose his first bout in a championship defense and to regain the title in an immediate rematch from the man that took the title. At 27-0, the great Sugar Ray Leonard lost his WBC Welterweight Title to Roberto Duran in Montreal via a 15-round unanimous decision.
In his next immediate bout, Leonard reclaimed his title via 8th round TKO when Duran quit in the infamous “No Mas” bout in New Orleans. Losing to Duran propelled Leonard to greatness in and out of the ring. “Sugar” went on to become one of the most popular fighters of our time.
“I definitely see parallels between the two,” stated Williams’ promoter Dan Goossen. Sometimes losing is winning in the long run. The great ones learn that they don’t like to lose and I believe that’s why Paul came out with his mind-set that NOTHING was going to prevent him from getting his belt back.”
Now Williams is looking to control the Welterweight division and willing to bring the fans the biggest and riskiest fights out there; take note…Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosely, and Miguel Cotto, make room for Paul “The Punisher” Williams.