(Los Angeles, CA (October 1, 2010) – On Saturday, November 20, at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez will defend his title against Paul “The Punisher” Williams in a rematch of their December 5, 2009 slugfest which had both fighters knocked down in round one and Williams winning by majority decision after twelve back-and-forth rounds.
Bookmakers in Las Vegas have opened the fight as a pick’em with both Martinez and Williams at -$125 and even money coming in on both sides.
What others had to say:
Harold Lederman: “The last fight was a great fight and a really close fight. November 20 could go either way. Paul Williams could win it with his boxing and Sergio Martinez could win it with his bog shots and I am expecting a real barnburner..”
Dan Goossen: “Pure ‘Blood and Guts’ when these two step inside the ropes and the bell rings.”
Paul Williams: “I got to knock Martinez off of the throne, he’s sittin’ on the throne. He better be ready. He better bring his AAA card, he’s going to need some towing up out of the ring. That’s not me being cocky, that’s my level of confidence. My fans and his fans are going to get a real good treat.”
Sergio Martinez: “The rematch is the best thing, not only for boxing fans but for Paul and me. Both of us need closure from our last fight. We need to know that the result is final this time.”
Lou Dibella: “Boxing needs this fight, it needs these two guys to put on another good show.”
David Avila (Press Enterprise): “Both fighters have an aggressive style that will again lead to another action fight. I felt that their first clash was the Fight of the Year in 2009.”
Franklin McNeil (ESPN.com): “Each fighter used every weapon in his arsenal. Neither took a backward step. There is no reason to expect less action in the rematch. If Williams and Martinez are half as motivated as they were in the original, boxing fans are in for a much-deserved treat.”
Tim Smith (NY Daily News): “Forget Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao, Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez is the real deal.”
Mitch Abramson (NY Daily News): “No one is calling this HBO World Championship Boxing bout “The Sequel” or “‘Til Death Do us Part.” It’s simply two of the best fighters in the sport meeting up to settle an old score for Martinez’s WBC middleweight title.”
Goossen Tutor Promotions and DiBella Entertainment in association with Caesars Atlantic City are presenting this evening of boxing Martinez vs. Williams II will be broadcast on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT.
Tickets, priced at $400, $200, $100 and $50, can be purchased this Friday, September 24 at the Boardwalk Hall box office, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at ticketmaster.com.
In their initial clash, a “Fight of the Year” candidate, Williams won on two scorecards (119-110, 115-113) and drew on the third (114-114) for a majority decision victory, although some believed Martinez had done enough to win. On November 20, the fans get what they want, Martinez-Williams II.