07.11.06 – By James Slater: Whilst seated ringside at the “Pretty Risky” May weather v Baldomir bout last Saturday, I bumped into unbeaten welterweight sensation Paul Williams. Paul was mixing with members of the media minutes after wining his bout on the under-card of the main event. After stopping his game but overmatched late replacement opponent, Santos Pakau, “The Punisher” graciously took time out to talk to me and the result was the following interview.
James Slater: Firstly, how do you rate your performance tonight, that guy had some hard head didn’t he?
Paul Williams: Yes sir. I mean, I’d rate my performance near the top, I always want to put on a good show for the fans and I believe I did that..
J.S: On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your performance?
P.W: I give myself a ten. Like I said, I came out here and did what I’m supposed to do and I got the W that I wanted. I mean, I could’ve gone to the body a little bit more but I was trying to get into my rhythm and stuff, not knowing who the guy was. I had to pick my shots and use the jab.
J.S: Did he ever hurt you?
P.W: No sir.
J.S: Did it discourage you somewhat when you were landing your best shots and he took them. Did you expect to lay the guy out, especially after scoring your two knockdowns early on?
P.W: No sir. I mean, I figured the guy came to fight, it being a big opportunity for him and stuff. I know he came to fight, I hit him with some good shots and some guys can take it, while others can’t, and he was willing to take the shots that I was giving him. But eventually I got him. He was taking too many and was busted up pretty bad. I wish the guy well, you know, but I came to do my job.
J.S: It was a mark-time fight for you really, who do you want next – is it Margarito you’re desperate to get hold of?
P.W: To me, it could be Margarito, the winner out of Floyd (Mayweather) and Baldomir, or (Kermit) Cintron. Any of them guys. Any of them guys at 147 with the big belts. I would love to get a shot at them.
J.S: Talking about tonight’s fight between Floyd and Carlos, who do you pick?
P.W: Er, I say it’s a toss up. It only takes one punch to turn the whole night around, so you can’t say Floyd’s gonna win, you can’t say Baldomir’s gonna win, it’s just a toss up, that’s how I look at it. Any time you get in the ring it’s a fifty-fifty chance, that’s the way I look at it.
J.S: You have a great reputation as a new big name on the scene and you are compared a lot to Tommy Hearns, does that (comparison) bother you at all?
P.W: It doesn’t bother me, but I’ve got my own style. Tommy Hearns had a great right hand, but I throw a lot more punches and I got lots of movement and stuff. I mean, if that’s what people want to compare me, to Thomas Hearns, I’m all for that. He was a great fighter, a multi-weight world champion and stuff but I feel I’ve got my own style.
J.S: Do you feel as though as a tall fighter, you have a solid chin?
P.W: Yes sir. If you train hard, like I train, you can take some shots. Like I say, one punch can turn the whole night around but I prepare myself to the best. I spar with heavyweights, so it don’t matter who I get in the ring with. Your body gets used to taking shots. To me personally, you’ve gotta take some to give some.
J.S: What’s your walking around weight?
P.W: Oh, I walk around at about 155, 156, something like that.
J.S: So welterweight is your natural weight class and next year you figure you’ll be welterweight champion if you’re given the shot?
P.W: Oh, sir, I’m staying at welterweight until my manager, Mr. Peterson tells me to move up, after targeting some of them belts and stuff. After that we may move up, it just depends on how I feel.
J.S: Well, I wish you all the best with your career and I hope you become world champion. Thanks very much for talking to me, I appreciate it.
P.W: Oh, thank you sir.