06.08.07 – By Gerard Wilson: Standing at six foot-one inch tall, southpaw WBO Welterweight boxing Champ, Paul “The Punisher” Williams has seemed to become the forgotten man in the highly talented welterweight division. I might be exaggerating a bit, but he seems to be conveniently forgotten like that “not so appealing” female that many of us have had at least once in our lives.
On July 14th of this year, Williams defeated Antonio Margarito for the WBO Welterweight boxing crown. For Margarito this fight was supposed to lead him into a fall (November to be exact) showdown with Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto. However, Paul Williams spoiled those plans with his ring generalship and high volume of punches. After the fight, Bob Arum (the promoter for both Margarito and Cotto) was quoted as saying to ringside press: “Williams did not win this fight in my opinion”. From there, the wheels began to turn for a possible bout between Miguel Cotto and Sugar Shane Mosley.
Personally, I am a big Shane Mosley fan, but I would rather see Cotto in there with Paul Williams. I doubt that Bob Arum would jeopardize his major “meal ticket” in Miguel Cotto against a tall and rangy southpaw welterweight like Paul Williams. Plus, if the Williams’ victory over Margarito taught us anything, it’s that Paul Williams can take it as well as dish it out. From a business standpoint, driving the Miguel Cottomobile towards Shane Mosley Boulevard is a no-brainer for Bob Arum.
In my opinion, a Miguel Cotto and Paul Williams fight has fight of the year for 2007 nomination written all over it. However, I know that this fight will not happen (at least not in 2007).
Where does Paul Williams go from here? I would not be upset if Williams took on a less talented mandatory title contender in his next fight. I think that after a tough fight against Margarito, he definitely deserves it. If I had my way (taking all of the political/business red tape into consideration), I would try to make a bout between Williams and IBF Welterweight boxing champion Kermit Cintron. This would be an explosive match up between two big young welterweights. Williams is 6’1 and Cintron is 5’11. This would be a non PPV HBO match up, that many hardcore boxing fans would salivate over.
I would also welcome a rematch between Williams and Margarito. Their first fight had enough back and forth action that justifies a rematch. I don’t like to speak for anyone, but I have a hunch that Williams believes that fighting either Cintron or Cotto again would feel like a consolation prize. As he stated after his win over Margarito, Paul Williams wants Mayweather or Cotto (in any order).
As I stated earlier, Shane Mosley has a potential upcoming fight with Miguel Cotto in November. Shane has a history of taking on tough and awkward opponents, most notably losses to Vernon Forrest (twice) and Winky Wright (twice). Therefore, there may be some hope for young Mr. Williams if Shane Mosley can win a proposed mega fight against Cotto.
Floyd Mayweather has an upcoming fight against Ricky Hatton on December 8th of this year. If Mayweather is victorious as many believe he will be; I doubt that Paul Williams will be on the top of his “to do list”.
The point that I am trying to make is that I have a bad feeling that Paul Williams will be a champion (much like a prime Chris Byrd at heavyweight), that will be on the outside looking in. Hopefully soon, someone will open a door and let this talented potential star in. Only time will tell if this happens.