Martinez-Williams Prevew!

By Dylon Silversey



Tonight in Atlantic City, Boardwalk Hall will once again be the host of one of the most anticipated matchups in recent history. Last December, Paul “The Punisher” Williams (39-1 27KO) and Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (45-2-2 24KO) went to war for twelve rounds in what was considered by many to be one of the best fights of the year. Martinez battering Williams with flush, punishing shots round after round combined with Williams’ relentless style of pressuring Martinez with an endless onslaught of punches, made for one entertaining battle.



Last year, when the original contest of Paul Williams vs. Kelly Pavlik was organized, every boxing fan thought they were going to finally get to see the matchup they had been dreaming of for years. “The Most Avoided Man in Boxing” would finally get his opportunity to shine on a big stage against the Middleweight Champion, Pavlik. That was until Pavlik had the unfortunate event of attracting a nasty staph infection in his hand. Many disappointed fans, did not think that Martinez would step up and give a fight that would live up to the expectations.



Martinez had a few notable fights leading up to that point, including a tough TKO loss against Antonio Margarito nine years previous, and a controversial draw against Kermit Cintron in the fight leading up to the Williams bout. Martinez though, had always been held in a regard much similar to Williams. It seemed no one wanted to fight this man.



But at 34 years old, Martinez stepped up that night in Atlantic City, and brought the much younger Williams to seemingly some the toughest times in his career in that ring, and did give fans the fight that they were expecting, had Williams met Pavlik. Badgering Williams with power punches that would bring even some of the most elite fighters to their knees.



Williams, even though brought to the breaking point very early in the fight, showed just why he is held in such a high regard, battling back from the huge first round knockdown and a brilliant first three rounds for Martinez. The middle rounds for Williams were similar to Peyton Manning utilizing the no-huddle offense early on in games. Just like Manning uses his intelligence and skill carving up defense’s with audible’s and crisp passes, Williams used his amazing 82” reach and ability to throw insane amount of punches to score in these rounds, and although Martinez was landing the more flush punches throughout the battle, these rounds helped Williams gain the decision victory.



The fight ended in a standing ovation from everyone in attendance that was until the judge’s scorecards were read. 114-114, 115-113 Williams, and then Pierre Benoist’s insane card of 119-110 for Williams. The dumbfounded crowd immediately started to voice their displeasure, and Martinez was seen laughing on HBO’s cameras. There was no possible way that anyone could see Martinez only winning one round throughout this fight.



But that one scorecard was not enough for fans and boxing experts alike to commend Martinez for his terrific display in the ring. And earlier this year, Martinez continued to improve that impression, as he dismantled Kelly Pavlik and became the first Argentinean middleweight champion since Carlos Monzon. Williams however did not get a full fight to display his abilities that he had shown last December, as his bout with Kermit Cintron was stopped abruptly when Cintron accidentally fell entirely out of the ring. Although Cintron himself says himself that he was unfairly not given the full five minutes to recover and return to the ring, the fight was stopped nonetheless and Williams was given the decision victory.

As soon as the rematch was signed, boxing fans and experts alike have shown nothing but extreme excitement to see this matchup once again. And finally this Saturday, we will all get that opportunity. Paul Williams promises more of the same from himself, relentless, non-stop onslaughts of punches that will key his way to a second victory against Martinez. Sergio Martinez however, plans to bring a bit more of a tactical aspect to this fight, possibly because he may have punched himself out of a victory, seeming to tire in the later rounds.





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