Paul Williams Is the Only Current Prizefighter Who Could Beat Manny Pacquiao

Legendary pugilist Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao thoroughly dominated Antonio “Tijuana Tornado” Margarito to earn a lopsided unanimous decision and capture the vacant WBC super welterweight world title Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

Despite sacrificing 17 pounds and nearly five inches in height, Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs) violently thrashed Margarito (38-7-0-1, 27 KOs) and broke the Mexican cheater’s right eye socket.

Margarito is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday in “The Lone Star State.”

“I can’t believe that I beat someone this big and strong,” said Pacquiao, 31, the first boxer in history to win 10 world titles in eight different weight divisions. “It’s hard. I really do my best to win the fight.”

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, contended the 36-minute massacre should have been halted far earlier in the bout.

“We didn’t lose a round,” said Roach, 50, a native of Dedham. “I wish they would have stopped the fight.”

Pacquiao’s greatness has never been questioned and it never will be.

However, “Pac-Man’s” virtuoso performance this past weekend was so brilliant it is hard to fathom anyone can even compete with him in the squared circle at this juncture.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (41-0, 25 KOs) possesses the skills to trump Pacquiao. Unfortunately, “Pretty Boy” has proven he is a yellow charlatan who doesn’t have the stones to battle Pacquiao.

Therefore, Mayweather is out of the equation as a viable opponent for Pacquiao.

The only other current prizefighter who could potentially thwart Pacquiao is former two-time WBO welterweight titlist Paul “The Punisher” Williams.

Williams (39-1, 27 KOs) is slated to scrap with Sergio Gabriel Martinez for the WBC middleweight crown Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“The Punisher,” 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 overcame Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik (36-2, 32 KOs) by a unanimous decision.

The rematch 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 No. 5 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 weekend between two elite prizefighters.

Nevertheless, expect Williams to “punish” the talented Martinez and win by a decisive triumph within 10 rounds.

Subsequently, if he is ever afforded the opportunity, look for Williams to possibly hand Pacquiao his first defeat since he lost a unanimous decision to Erik Morales in March 2005. 

The “most avoided fighter in the world” has the abilities to beat the greatest boxer of this generation.