Sergio Martinez vs. Paul Williams II: Preview and How Each Can Win the Rematch

Sergio Martinez

Birthplace: Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Resides: Oxnard, California
Age: 35
Height: 5' 10"
Reach: 76"
Current World Titles Held: Ring Magazine, WBC Middleweight (160 lbs.)
Former World Titles Held: WBO Middleweight
Professional Record: 45-2-2, 24 KOs
Record in World Title Fights: 1-0
Record in Fights Going 12 Rounds: 4-1-1

Notable Wins: UD12 Kelly Pavlik, KO4 Saul Roman
Notable Losses: MD12 Paul Williams, TKO7 Antonio Margarito

Paul "The Punisher" Williams

Birthplace: Aiken, South Carolina
Resides: Atlanta, Georgia
Age: 29
Height: 6' 1"
Reach: 82"
Current World Titles Held: None
Former World Titles Held: WBO Welterweight (147 lbs.)
Professional Record: 39-1, 27 KOs
Record in World Title Fights: 2-1, 1 KO
Record in Fights Going 12 Rounds: 3-1

Notable Wins: MD12 Sergio Martinez, TKO1 Carlos Quintana II, UD12 Antonio Margarito
Notable Loss: UD12 Carlos Quintana I

Analysis:

There hasn't been a boxing match in 2010 that has emerged as the clear favorite for Fight of the Year, but that could change come Sunday morning. That's because Sergio Martinez and Paul Williams will face each other for a second time at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday night, and the first meeting between the two men produced all kinds of fireworks.

The stakes are higher this time, as Martinez will put his middleweight belts on the line. He lifted those from Kelly Pavlik in impressive fashion in April, vindicating those who felt he was the best boxer on the planet without a world title.

Williams has made no secret of his desire to try for titles anywhere between 147 and 160 pounds, but he's often found the biggest fights difficult to come by. The lanky southpaw settled for a bout last year with the equally avoided Martinez, but he almost regretted it after barely squeaking out a majority decision - aided by a suspect 119-110 scorecard in his favor.

Despite lacking serious knockout power or wide mainstream recognition, both fighters appeal to diehard boxing fans thanks to their flashy combination punching and offense-first mentalities. It helps that each man can be hit flush on occasion, Martinez due to his reliance on reflexes over solid defensive fundamentals and Williams because he's already busy thinking about his next punch.

The bout will be contested at a catchweight of 158 pounds, a fact that should please both sides. Martinez has already made it known that he prefers campaigning at junior middleweight, and 160 pounds is probably pushing it for Williams, who still maintains that he can cut to welterweight if necessary.

Martinez's Winning Strategy: Don't Be a Stationary Target

What Martinez could really use to be a downright scary fighter is for his defense to catch up with his offense. But at 35, it's probably asking too much of him to expect a sudden devotion to blocking and slipping punches.

Sergio often fights with his hands down and uses his athleticism to dodge punches, and it works for him against most opponents. He's also an excellent counter-puncher, and it would negate one of his best weapons if he was constantly trying to remain elusive.

Despite all that, it's his foot speed and lateral movement that stand out as his clearest advantages over Williams, and he could certainly put them to better use. They were the biggest reasons he was able to defeat Pavlik, and for all of his firepower, Williams is similar to the former middleweight champ in that anyone standing in front of him is playing into his hands.

Martinez will want to stand and trade at times, but he's got the tools to be more judicious about when and where he does it.

Williams' Winning Strategy: Use That Wingspan Wisely

Martinez isn't a small guy, but Williams is something else entirely. Virtually no one at middleweight or below can look him in the eye, and his long arms enable him to throw punches that people just can't see coming.

There were times during the first fight that Williams used his jab to set up his offense, but those were vastly outnumbered by moments he just went for broke and started winging power shots. Considering how often he ended up on the wrong side of Martinez's hooks and counters, he may want to rethink that balance.

No one would ask The Punisher to fight strictly from the outside. He's always been at his best when he's overwhelming his foes with a barrage of punches, and he does need to eventually get closer to pull that off.

But Martinez can't counter what he can't reach. If Williams wants to give himself an edge, he'll throw a few more shots from range before he steps up.

Nick Tylwalk is the editor and co-founder of BoxingWatchers.com. Follow his Twitter feed @Nick_Tylwalk or the site's feed @boxing_watchers.