Paul Williams Will Defeat Sergio Martinez Again

WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez will defend his crown against former two-time WBO welterweight titlist Paul “The Punisher” Williams in a rematch scheduled for November 20 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

Williams (39-1, 27 KOs), a southpaw who is rightfully billed as the most “avoided fighter in the world,” defeated Martinez (45-2-2, 24 KOs) by a controversial majority decision last December.

Martinez, who also dabbled professionally as a cyclist and soccer player and only began boxing at the late age of 20, captured his belt April 17 when he trumped “The Ghost” Kelly Pavlik (36-2, 32 KOs) by a unanimous decision.

The second bout between Williams and Martinez will be fought at a catch weight of 157 pounds.

“It’s at 157 because we didn’t have a choice,” said Martinez’s promoter Lou DiBella, a graduate of Tufts University and Harvard Law School. “Williams wanted the catch weight. There was an issue on the weight and we gave on the weight.”

Williams, who is rated by Ring Magazine as the number five pound-for-pound pugilist in the world, is extremely tall and lanky and his awkward style has created nightmares for opponents.

“The Punisher” suffered his only loss as a professional to “El Indio” Carlos Quintana (27-3, 21 KOs) via unanimous decision in February 2008.

However, Williams proved Quintana’s victory was an utter fluke when he demolished “El Indio” four months later by a first round TKO.

Martinez possesses blinding quickness and his punching volume is remarkably aggressive.

Fans of “The Sweet Science” will be granted a tremendous contest this Fall between two elite prizefighters.

Nevertheless, expect Williams to “punish” the talented Martinez and earn a decisive triumph within ten rounds.