Boxing KO of the Day Video: Sergio Martinez Delivers KO of the Year

The possibilities seemed endless.

At 39-1, with his only loss avenged, standing 6' 2", with great boxing ability, length, motor and the versatility to dominate at both welterweight and middleweight, Paul Williams was standing on top of the boxing world.

Coming off a major statement win, two years earlier against Sergio Martinez, the bright future of the 28 year-old south paw only seemed to be getting brighter.

With a contract signed to rematch Martinez, in one of the greatest fights of 2009, Williams seemed to be one fight away from a possible mega-fight with either Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather.

Long regarded as "The Most Feared Man" in boxing, it seemed Williams had corned the two iconic stars into the ropes. If Mayweather and Pacquiao refused to fight one another, the only other logical fight, appeared to be with Williams.

All that was needed was another victory over Martinez.

In just over four minutes, that all changed.

Instead of the final brick, to the foundation, which was Paul William's march to super-stardom, Williams was on the other end of a career defining left hook, of Martinez.

In just over four minutes Williams went from "The Most Feared Man" in boxing, to star on the redemption trail.

On Saturday July 9th, Williams will begin that road to redemption in an HBO: Boxing After Dark event, against Erislandy Lara (15-0-1). Lara, who himself is coming off an unimpressive draw, has been touted as one of the best prospects in the sport, so this should be no walk in the park for Williams.

With Floyd Mayweather set to make his return against Victor Ortiz on September 17th, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez ready to renew their trilogy and then, hopefully, a summer 2012 match-up between the two pound-for-pound champs, it seems the window for Williams to get his shot at the two Hall of Famers is sparsely open, if not already closed.

Williams can thank Sergio Martinez's left hand for that.