Williams and Martinez Put the Spotlight
on the Light Middleweight Division!
By: Carol Miller (SBB)
Saturday December 5th the classic bout between Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez at the Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City New Jersey was not only a classic battle itself but a prime example of the quality within the division, making a clear challenge for boxings toughest division.
Many believe it’s the light welterweight which features Ricky Hatton, now Manny Pacquiao, Nate Campbell and Kendall Holt, Timothy Bradley, Lamont Peterson, Juan Diaz, recently upset Victor Ortiz and Junior Witter, Amir Khan, Devon Alexander, Paul Malignaggi, Juan Urango, Andriy Kotelnik Or the welterweight division with Shane Mosley a former 154lb champion, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey, Andre Berto, a declining Zab Judah, Luis Collazo, Carlos Quintana, Isaac Hlatschwayo, Delvin Rodriguez, Sebastian Lujan, Jesus Soto Karass, Vyacheslav Senchenko, Selcuk Aydin and of course “Hands of plaster Antonio Margarito.
The light middleweight division (148-154 pounds) can make it’s own claim to that title with it’s balance or parity in the top twenty that if boxing’s top match makers do their job we could see many exciting match-ups from this weight class resembling Williams / Martinez.
The divisions top five Paul “The Punisher” Williams, Yuri Foreman won the WBA World light middleweight title from Daniel Santos last month, James Kirkland incarcerated at this time, Kermit “Killer”Cintron, fought to a draw with Sergio Martinez his last time out and “The Next Generation” Cory Spinks who won a closely contested split decision to #9 Deandre “The Bull” Latimore last April.
Leaving the top five there’s Ryan Rhodes who won the EBU (European) light middleweight title also a WBC Light Middleweight Title Eliminator stopping Jamie Moore in October. Of course there is Sergio Martinez who has been overlooked for quite some time but with his performance versus Williams last Saturday a fight many believe he deserved the nod only his second defeat the first to Antonio Margarito in 2000 will now be getting his due. Hopefully a rematch with Williams. Next there’s Alfredo”Perro” Angulo who is back on the winning track stopping Harry Joe Yorgey in three last month. Deandre “The Bull” Latimore is back to his winning wats since losing to Spinks winning a ten round unanimous decision over Sammy Sparkman in August. Rounding out the top ten is Canada’s Joachim “Ti-Joa” Alcine has beaten Eric Mitchell and Christophe Canclaux since suffering his first and only loss to Daniel Santos July 2008. Put any of their names in a hat pull two out and lets get ready to rumble. For that matter use the top twenty with names like Jamie Moore, Vanes Martirosyan, Bongani Mwelase, Lukas Konecny and Sechew Powell.
1 Paul Williams 38 (27)-1(0)-0 28 southpaw Augusta, Georgia, United States
2 Yuri Foreman 28 (8)-0(0)-0 29 orthodox Brooklyn, New York, United States
3 James Kirkland 25( 22)-0(0)-0 25 southpaw Austin, Texas, United States
4 Kermit Cintron 32 (28)-2(2)-1 30 orthodox Houston, Texas, United States
5 Cory Spinks 37 (11)-5(1)-0 31 southpaw Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
6 Ryan Rhodes 43 (29)-4(2)-0 33 southpaw Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
7 Sergio Gabriel Martinez 44 (24)-2(1)-2 34 southpaw Madrid, Spain
8 Alfredo Angulo 17 (14)-1(0)-0 27 orthodox Coachella, California, United States
9 Deandre Latimore 20 (16)-2(1)-0 24 southpaw Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
10 Joachim Alcine 32 (19)-1(1)-0 33 orthodox Laval, Quebec, Canada
11 Daniel Santos 32 (23)-4(1)-1 34 southpaw Bayamon, Puerto Rico
12 Anthony Small 23 (16)-1(1)-0 28 orthodox Deptford, London, United Kingdom
13 Hussein Bayram 31 (17)-3(1)-0 34 orthodox Grenoble, Isère, France
14 Cornelius Bundrage 29 (17)-4(2)-0 36 orthodox Michigan, United States
15 Vanes Martirosyan 25 (16)-0(0)-0 23 orthodox California, United States
16 Jamie Moore 32 (23)-4(3)-0 31 southpaw Salford, Lancashire, United Kingdom
17 Ulises David Lopez 25 (14)-2(1)-0 31 southpaw Entre Rios, Argentina 18 Carlos Molina 17 (5)-4(0)-1 26 orthodox Chicago, Illinois, United States
19 Nobuhiro Ishida 21 (7)-5(0)-2 34 orthodox Osaka, Osaka, Japan
20 Saul Roman 31 (26)-5(4)-0 29 orthodox Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
21 Zaurbek Baysangurov 22 (16)-1(1)-0 24 orthodox Kiev, Ukraine
22 Roberto Garcia 27 (20)-2(0)-0 29 orthodox Weslaco, Texas, United States
23 Lukas Konecny 40 (20)-3(0)-0 31 orthodox Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic
24 Bongani Mwelase 14 (12)-0(0)-0 27 southpaw Gauteng, South Africa
25 Sechew Powell 25 (15)-2(1)-0 30 southpaw Brooklyn, New York, United States
The light middleweight divisions top names may even draw some light welters and welterweights to step up and stake their claim. Possibly Mosley returning should he not get a shot at Pacquiao or Mayweather, or maybe a Cotto or Clottey and several others who have been battling the weight issue. Whether we get these match-ups or not there will be a sharp interest in the light middleweight division should undefeated James Kirkland, 25-0, 22Ko’s presently incarcerated for 18 months successfully return to boxing with his “Tyson” all out attack style.
Let’s get it all started with Pavlik / Williams or Williams giving Martinez a rematch. You make the call.
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Williams / Martinez Round by Round
Scored by : Bill Ethan (SBB)
Round one Williams came out on looking to dictate the pace applying the pressure as Martinez was circling using all of the ring. Williams was on the prowl pumping his jab when the cagey Martinez scored with a big counter right hook. Williams kept the pressure up when at 1:51 of the round Martinez suffered an early set back when Williams caught him off balance backing to the ropes with a long left hand high grazing on the head scoring a flash knockdown looking at a 10-8 round.
Beating the count easily Martinez was unhurt and began to move again circling to his right stopping and stepping left ripping a left hand rocking Williams who grabbed on. Martinez went back to circling causing Williams to miss and counter ducking in with jabs to William’s body. Williams missing shots followed Martinez to the ropes when at about the :05 mark of the round Martinez turned Williams and stepped in with a crushing right hook dumping “The Punisher” on the deck against the ropes seconds left in the round. 10-9 (M)
In the second round Martinez continued to counter punch an open Williams who was reaching missing with his jab. The tough Argentinean continued to move and counter scoring with big right hooks. “Maravilla” was in control now banging to Williams body with both hands. The right hook was scoring well for Martinez as Williams still seemed a little off. 20-18 (M)
The third round saw much of the same but now Martinez was circling left leaping in with solid counters. At about the 2:00 minute mark the two accidentally clashed heads and Martinez complained. Williams continued the pressure but Martinez answered slipping shots banging with clean solid shots. The tough Argentine fighter stayed away picking his spots countering and falling in banging William’s body inside. Williams appeared clear at the end but it was clearly Martinez round thanks to the big right hooks. 30-27 (M)
In the fourth round Martinez began to plant his straight left to William’s body adding in some stiff right jabs. Martinez is starting to counter in combination now. William’s continues to press missing most shots but the distance is closing. The two banged away at close quarters no real advantage either way. A clean three punch volley from Williams cracks Martinez who fires right back landing cleanly. The action begins to slow and Martinez is controlling another round. Williams pats with both hands inside nothing to count. The two trade big lefts then hold on. The round is closing and Williams cut on his left eye lid. Then with eight seconds left in the round Williams rocks Martinez who grabs on waiting for the bell. (Martinez landed the cleaner heavier shots very close) 40-36 (M)
In the fifth Williams jumps Martinez who sill appears still woozy. Martinez begins to move keeping his space now picking his shots then grabbing on. About the last minute of the round both fighters exchange a volley of heavy shots. It’s a battle now. Williams is closing the space and two trade, Williams gets the better of Martinez. The two fighters get tangled and tumble to the deck for a well deserved rest. 49-46 (W)
In round six Martinez is moving again making “The Punisher” miss but as the round wears on “The Punisher” begins to close the distance and the two bang heads again. Williams jab is working and Martinez is missing with his counters. Martinez begins to jab to Williams body but his movement has slowed allowing Williams to score with some good lefts and counter right hooks. Williams pressure and work rate give him the round. 58- 56 (W)
In round seven both men appeared tired but Williams continues to press. Williams lands multiple jabs while Martinez is now staying just in range. Martinez lands a big left upper cut but the round belongs to Williams who is now making Martinez miss. 67- 66 (W)
In round eight Williams continues to jab as Martinez lands single straight lefts to the body. Williams is throwing triple jabs now and Martinez seems satisfied to get his left to the body. Martinez adds right hook upstairs closing the round gaining an edge. More right hooks from Martinez takes he round. 77- 75 (M)
Round nine has Williams still applying the pressure with Martinez moving again. Williams jab is working as Martinez concentrates on William’s body. Martinez hands down moving laterally making Williams miss. The two trade body shots and William’s lands three straight clean jabs and a big right hook take the round in the last thirty seconds. 86-85 (W)
In the 10th Williams looked as he would take control with his jab when Martinez landed two thunderous left hands to the head. William’s again throwing pitty pats to stay busy inside. Martinez stays on William’s body with jabs and straight lefts. Martinez adds two stiff jabs but Williams keeps pressing. Four real big lefts and a solid body attack give Martinez the round. 96-94. (M)
In the 11th Williams remained the aggressor but the action is heavy and even. About midway through the round Martinez landed a big left and up until now the difference. Then just outside the closing minute of the round Martinez appearing tired takes advantage of Williams pressing down on his neck and goes down to his knees. He may have grabbed a short rest but the body language didn’t look good. Then with about thirty seconds to go in the round Martinez digs down and fires clean shots. William’s answers with a combination of his own and the two trade vicious blows in the center of the ring when Martinez nods to William’s as if to say OK lets go! Not believing in scoring rounds even Martinez finished the round with a good right hook grabbing the round. 106-103 (M)
In the 12th and final round William’s came out charging working his jab and scoring a hard straight left. Martinez grabs on banging away inside with Williams doing more slapping than punching. The two take turns but William’s keeps pressing actually pushes Martinez to the corner where he grabs on. After a referee Randy Neumann break Martinez lands a great left. At about the mid point of the round the two begin to trade again with Williams catching Martinez with his arm behind the neck throwing “Marvilla” to the canvas rightfully scored a slip by referee Randy Neumann. A lot of holding and punching now then Martinez lands a good straight left to William’s body. The two continue to punch until the bell with Williams grabbing the advantage at the end of that round. 115-113. (W)
The judges scores were announced judge Julie Lederman 114-114, judge Lynne Carter scoring it 113-115 and judge Pierre Benoist 119-110 both for Williams. SBB scored the bout 115-113, Martinez.
On the undercard : Washington, DC heavyweight Tony “The Tiger” Thompson scored a ninth round Tko of Paulsboro, New Jersey heavyweight Chazz “The Gentleman” Witherspoon, light middleweight Carlos “El Indio” Quintana scored a third round Tko over Jesse “El Rayo” Feliciano, Newport News, Virginia middleweight Jeremiah Wiggins won a six round unanimous decision over Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s Manuel Guzman, undefeated New Brunswick, New Jersey super bantamweight Jorge Diaz stopped Caguas, Puerto Rico’s Luis Angel Paneto at 2:53 of round one in their scheduled six rounder.
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Controversial Becoming Everyday in Boxing!
By: Pat Connor
Saturday December 5th, at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey three time world champion light middleweight Paul “The Punisher” Williams won what is turning out to be a regular thing in boxing these days, a “controversial decision.” Williams won a 114 –14, 115-113, 119-110 majority decision over Sergio Martinez in what most on either side would call a close fight. So please tell me where does 119-110 fit in.
I guess it fits in fine if you consider last weeks Ali Funeka vs Joan Guzman scoring fiasco or the Paulie Malignaggi / Juan Diaz scoring differential a couple of months ago and who knows how many minor fight scandals we don’t hear of. Well, I hear Paulie Malignaggi ringing in my ears right now and maybe it wasn’t the right time or in the right manner but this proves Paulie definitely got it right and in my book that’s what counts specifically when it comes to scoring.
Its time, boxing needs a tune up, if not an overhaul. I don’t have the answers but a meeting of the boxing minds is in order before boxing is found out of order. I understand that many times fights come down to a matter of style but style should not effect scoring.
Why does an aggressor get the benefit just for being the aggressor if the counter puncher landed the cleaner more effective punches? Like most I believe the fighter that lands the most clean effective shots wins each round and the point total of the rounds gives you the victor. Winning the first or last round plays no weight in the scoring of the bout. Just that round. As far as effective aggressiveness I guess it comes down to your definition of effectiveness. Coming forward and missing shots gets no points. Nor does “tapping” your opponent in a clinch score points. Clean effective punching. Well to come clean I felt Martinez was going to pull an upset and an upset he got we’re all upset at least at judge Pierre Benoist for his 119-110 call for Williams. I even know two judges that didn’t see it that way and they were there.
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Arreola Rebounds with 4th Round TKO of Minto!
By: Joe Martin
December 5th, at the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey Riverside, California: On the undercard of Paul Williams / Sergio Martinez light middleweight fight heavyweight Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola rebounded from his tenth round retirement at the hands of WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko this past September with a 4th round Tko of Butler, Pennsylvania’s Brian “the Beast” Minto.
Arreola came in at 263 twelve pounds heavier than when he fought Klitscko putting the 21lb Minto, 34-3, 21Ko’s at a substantial weight disadvantage. The slighted Minto would prove to be a gallant opponent for Arreola for about three and half rounds. “The Beast” a former football standout gave Arreola problems early on treating each exchange like it was fourth and two. He used some good movement and some combination punching highlighted by his willingness to battle. Minto had his moments but it was obvious early after swallowing the first “Nightmare” right his dream would soon be over.
At the opening bell the size differential was apparent. Arreola banged Minto who continued to move and box using a good jab moving in and out. Arreola started the “Nightmare” with a good right hand. Minto would soon land a right of his own but an Arreola left hook right hand came right back putting the “The Beast” momentarily on retreat. Arreloa closing the round boxing scoring with a good right followed up with three straight jabs. Minto’s best punch of the round was a clean right hand that didn’t budge the big Mexican American heavyweight.
In the second round Arreola countered Minto’s 1-2’s with left hook right hand counters leaving the “Beast” with a had badly swollen left eye. Minto’s lack of a heavyweight punch and Arreola’s aggression was hint what inevitably would come.
In the third the punches were flying both ways with the game Minto’s heart and desire evident by his willingness to trade but Arreola’s jab was taking a toll.
In the fourth round the weight difference would take his toll and the “Nightmare” would take advantage of Minto’s courage and willingness to trade scoring with a heavy looping right dropping him to his knees at the 1:51 mark. Minto beat the count and mistakenly prodded forward ready to go. Arreola was teeing off catching Minto with both hands when a short uppercut mixed with right hands drove Minto through the ropes where two sweeping shots dropped him to the canvas where he struggled rolling to his knees trying to get upright unable to beat referee Eddie Cotton's count.
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Will History Repeat Itself? Is Martinez Another Quintana?
By: Pat Connor (SBB)
(December 5th) Tonight is the long awaited return to the ring of the most avoided man in boxing, Paul “The Punisher Williams.” Strange as it may his last bout was with this past April against one of boxing’s previously most avoided, Ronald “Winky” Wright. Before that “The Punishers” previous bout was against Verno Phillips back November 2008 a lay off due to the lack of an opponent.
As it be Williams won his first World Championship with a lopsided unanimous decision over another of boxing’s most avoided, Antonio Margarito July 14th 2007 when he won the WBO Welterweight Championship.
Williams went on to lose that title in his first defense, February 9th to Carlos Quintana at the Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California. Some believe that loss was due to Williams looking past Quintana to the bigger names like Shane Mosley, Ricky Hatton, Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto who had been blasted out Quintana June the previous year. Some would say all or most of them had been and still are avoiding “The Punisher.”
In true championship form Williams took Quintana out in the first round of their rematch four months later then went on to stop undefeated Andy Kolle, 17-0 at the time in one round before going on to finish Verno Phillips in eight putting us right where we started getting the lopsided win over Wright who came out of retirement for the fight.
Well tonight’s fight with substitute “Maravilla,” Sergio Gabriel Martinez which was originally scheduled against “The Ghost” Kelly Pavlik who some believe did his best impression of “Casper” avoiding Williams pulling out claiming a hand infection is this history repeating itself. Already? Is Williams looking past Martinez to bigger names? He better not be!
Has history once again set up the perfect upset? Could it be that training for and looking forward to Kelly Pavlik for four months and now throwing his name in the Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Maywether sweepstakes before finishing the task before him we could see another “Quintana” in Sergio Martinez?”
Like Quintana, Martinez comes in with a formidable record 44-1-2, 24Ko’s. Like Quintana not all were against top echelon fighters but Martinez has been avoided himself. “Maravilla’s” only blemishes are a draw in his third professional fight in which he redeemed himself in the rematch. A 7th round Tko loss to Antonio Margarito back in 2000 when Margarito was the most avoided man in boxing and a draw with Kermit “Killer” Cintron last February. Who, by the ways only losses are to Margarito.
Martinez is similar to Quintana in a couple of ways. He is a quick, cagey southpaw who can box but stronger. He will box at times, trade, even counter punch, something that gave Williams problems in his first meeting with Quintana. Martinez, though has been in with tougher competition than Quintana like Adrian Stone, Archak TerMeliksetian, Alex Bunema and the already mentioned Cintron and Margarito and he hits harder than Quintana. Martinez like Quintana gives Williams that rare match up of southpaw versus southpaw.
Martinez only loss was to Margarito a punching machine like Williams, a fighter who always out works his opponent. Williams doesn’t hit as hard as Margarito and at times is easier to hit considering some of his defensive lapses when he starts punching. Williams outworked Quintana in the first bout but was beat by precision counter punching from angles, staying tight inside and at a safe angle or distance when not punching.
Martinez is better than most believe and in this fight his best chances are a good defense and use Williams punch count against him. Take advantage of those defensive lapses. Make him miss and make him pay. Martinez must make his punches count, he must make Williams pay. This could throw off his rhythm causing him to stop punching or open him up as Williams becomes a little liable defensively when he opens up. It may make him turn it up burning the candle at both ends then Martinez should be there in the middle when Williams begins to smolder picking his shots.
Sounds good on paper, right? Doesn’t it always? I do think though, that getting past the history should be easy, easier than it will be getting past Martinez. We will now tomorrow when its history.
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HBO PRESENTS A SHOWDOWN OF ELITE FORCES WHEN
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
PAUL WILLIAMS VS. SERGIO MARTINEZ
CRISTOBAL ARREOLA VS. BRIAN MINTO
LIVE SATURDAY, DEC. 5 ON HBO
HBO Sports presents a night of world-class fighters when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: PAUL WILLIAMS VS. SERGIO MARTINEZ AND CRISTOBAL ARREOLA VS. BRIAN MINTO is seen live SATURDAY, DEC. 5 (9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT) from Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, exclusively on HBO. The WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING team of Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman, and Emanuel Steward will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.
The opening bout is a ten-round heavyweight tilt featuring Cristobal Arreola (27-1, 24 KOs) of Riverside, Cal. and Brian Minto (34-2, 21 KOs) from Butler, Pa. Arreola boasts knockout power and has the resilience and heart to withstand his opponent’s offerings. Suffering his first loss last September to Vitali Klitschko, one of the premier heavyweights, the popular slugger looks to prove himself a serious threat in the division once again. The strong, hard-nosed Minto is a precise power puncher who is looking for his breakout fight in the HBO spotlight.
Scheduled for 12 rounds, the main event spotlights two elite middleweights in their prime who are arguably the best in the 154-pound division. Facing his most formidable challenge yet, Madrid-based Argentine Sergio Martinez (44-1-2, 24 KOs) is a tricky, 34-year-old southpaw with both speed and power, as he showed last February when he fought Kermit Cintron to a majority draw.
Avoided and feared by many, Paul Williams (37-1, 27 KOs) is ready for his second 2009 fight as a middleweight. Hailing from Augusta, Ga., this versatile fighter has scored convincing wins in three separate weight classes and enjoyed two stints as welterweight champion. Last April, Williams convincingly defeated Winky Wright, one of boxing’s most dangerous fighters.
