by Nick Powers – Less than a week before his highly anticipated rematch with Sergio Martinez for the Middleweight championship of the world, Paul “The Punisher” Williams took time out of his hectic fight week schedule to speak with On the Ropes Boxing Radio . His second appearance on the program, where hostess Jenna J, producer/co-host Geoffrey Ciani and co-host Nick Powers celebrated their landmark 100th episode, provided little for sound bites but much for discussion.
Throughout the interview, Williams spoke vaguely of his upcoming bout with Martinez; a rematch of their December 2009 war that many placed highly on the list of the year’s best fights. The 6’2” lanky left hander who has made a splash in the Welterweight, Jr. Middleweight and Middleweight divisions in recent years did not, however, leave fans questioning his motivation for one of the toughest tests of his
career.
“It’s definitely going for my favor, and I’m going to get a big win, but you know what I’m saying, it all depends on how he comes out there; he may get knocked out,” Williams said, making note of how Martinez chooses to fight as to how the bout is determined. “But I’m definitely predicting a win, and it’s going to be a good fight for as long as it goes.”
The two men previously fought to a somewhat controversial majority decision that saw Williams come out on top after 12 hellacious rounds; the first of which saw both fighters touch the canvas. Though no other knockdowns occurred, it was not for lack of action as the combatants traded blows ferociously until the final bell.
Since that fight, which was Martinez’ first at 160 pounds, “Maravilla” has claimed the WBC, WBO and Ring Magazine Middleweight titles in defeating former champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik this past April. Pavlik, an opponent whom Williams was scheduled to face on more than one occasion, was out of his depth against the slick Argentinean southpaw, and despite knocking Martinez down in the early rounds
was thoroughly outclassed.
The slickness shown in Martinez’ victory, however, did not deter Williams from seeking the Middleweight title in what is the most anticipated rematch of this year, as he showed confidence in himself and lack thereof in his opponent.
“I don’t think that I’ll have a problem with that,” said Williams in reference to Martinez’ confidence following his victory over Pavlik. Confidence was not the only factor Williams wrote off, either, as he also shared his thoughts on what Martinez could do to deter him: “To be honest? Nothing.”
As hostess Jenna J suggested, a man that doesn’t have much to say has a lot of his mind. Nothing could ring truer for a fighter who many dubbed “The most avoided man in boxing” in years past following his victory in 2007 over then WBO Welterweight champion Antonio Margarito. Williams, who now shares a common conquest in Margarito with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, dually noted that a
potential match with the “Pac-Man” could be on his radar down the line, as a move back to either 147 or 154 pounds was not out of the question.
“I mean, it all depends on how I feel, my body going up and down, how Mr. Peterson, Al and Dan, how they want to do this,” Williams said, taking note of his trainer and promoters’ opinions in addition to his own.“I don’t know, I kind of like going up and down, you know?”
Many believe that this Saturday’s rematch cannot and will not live up to the expectations given to it following the classic fight that was Williams-Martinez I. Luckily for fight fans, one person who disagrees with that assertion is Paul Williams.
“To all my fans out there, you know, I’m definitely going to put on a great show on November 20th for y’all. And, you know, I love the support that y’all give me and stuff. And to the people who aren’t my fans, you know, just sit back and enjoy the fight; it’s going to be a good fight, and you all will see.”
Listen to the Paul Williams interview in its entirety, as well as can’t miss conversations during our epic 100th episode with Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather, Sr., Nate “Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell and Chauncy Welliver, at www.ontheropesboxingradio.com.
Sergio Martinez vs. Paul Williams II will be broadcast live on HBO’s “World Championship Boxing” following a replay of Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito this Saturday, November 20 at 10 PM ET/7PM PT.
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