Sergio Martinez vs. Paul Williams II: Who the Celebrities Are Picking

According to a press release the most anticipated rematch of the year and quite possibly the fight of the year candidate: Sergio Martinez vs. Paul Williams II has all of the boxing world buzzing as well as many celebrities who found their first matchup to be one of the greatest fights the sport has seen in a long time.

Many boxing experts including myself actually scored the very close fight for Martinez who found himself on the short end of a political business decision loss.

I personally like Martinez in the rematch for his time has finally arrived and he's on top of the world right now with his huge dominating win over Kelly Pavlik. I will also go as far as saying I feel a win for Martinez in the rematch is much better for the sport of boxing and for HBO for several reasons that I won't go into in this article.

Las Vegas currently has the odds very close on this fight with Williams a slight favorite at 6-5 it's 3-1 that the fight goes the distance and 5-2 it ends early.

So lets see who the celebrities are predicting on the biggest rematch of the year.

"I am familiar with both fighters and believe it is 50-50 pick em. Both fighters
 have good hand speed and both have punching power. Williams has height and reach advantage and Sergio has slightly more power.  I am looking forward to seeing a great fight. Great event for HBO."—Sugar Ray Leonard, world champion in five weight divisions

"Paul Williams by a decision! If he keeps his head up this time should be an easier
fight for him."—George Foreman, two-time world heavyweight champion

"Sergio is a great fighter and Paul is very skilled, but it all comes down to conditioning for this fight. This is going to be an exciting fight that we haven't seen in a long time, well worth our money. I predict it will go the distance and the man in
the best condition will be victorious."—Tommy Hearns, World Champion in five weight
divisions

"If it's anything like the first fight it!! Should be the fight of the year! I wouldn't
miss it for the world...Martinez!!"—Actor Mark Wahlberg

"In the Words, of the great Rocky Balboa" I don't Wanna Lose what I got." Sergio
 is A champ that is strong and quick and just won't quit. KO in the 8th Sergio over
Paul!"—Actor Andre Royo, The Wire

"I think Williams is going to stop him this time and live up to his name, The Punisher.
 He knows what he has to do and use that reach to take care of business.  I think
it is either a TKO or KO before the 10th round."—Bernard Hopkins, former undisputed middleweight champion

"I like Martinez in a rematch. He appears to be a little more skillful to me."—Roy Jones, Jr, world champion in four weight divisions

"That is going to be a great fight. Sergio is going to give Paul everything he can
handle, but Paul has a lot of vengeance from the last fight. It's going to be a
very entertaining, action-packed bout, and Paul will come out on top."—Andre Berto,
WBC welterweight champion

"Going to be a great rematch but I think Williams might pull it off with a KO or majority decision, usually does well with his rematches and Martinez hasn't had many"—Amir Khan, WBA jr. welterweight champion

"Both of these guys are great talents, but I think Martinez has shown his skills and power are the superior to Williams.  I think Williams looses by 10th round TKO!"—Peter Mandfredo, two-time world champion

"I feel Paul Williams will beat him unanimously this time around. I've heard Sergio
was 176 pounds just a few days ago and needs to be at 157 is allot for a 36 year
 old."—Sergio Mora, former jr. middleweight world champion

Goossen Tutor Promotions and DiBella Entertainment in association with Caesars Atlantic City and Corona are presenting this evening of boxing Martinez vs. Williams II will be broadcast on HBO's World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $400, $200, $100 and $50 can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall
box office, or by calling Ticketmaster at [phone] or online at ticketmaster.com.