Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martinez: You Got Knocked The %&$? Out!

What a treat we all got on Saturday night.

November 20, 2010, Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey would host a highly anticipated rematch between Paul “The Punisher” Williams and Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez.

The proposed rematch was already being touted as a potential fight of the year candidate and the two pugilists had yet to step in the ring.

As Williams made his ring entrance, he looked relaxed and supremely confident. And why not? He is widely regarded among boxing analysts as the most avoided man in boxing. 

Martinez entered the ring smiling and ready to revenge his decision loss to Williams in December 2009.  

Round 1, the bout got off to a fevered pace. Paul, the taller fighter, began firing his quick jab attempting to set the pace and distance to his advantage. 

Martinez used upper body movement and footwork to negate Paul’s fight plan, Sergio throwing left and right hands while turning Williams in the center of the ring. 

Both fighters had their moments during the three minute exchange however Martinez began to rake Williams with awkwardly thrown punches.

At the onset of Round 2, Williams began to look as if he had figured Martinez out. The crowd in the Boardwalk Hall could see why Paul is called “The Punisher”.     

Just as I was thinking, “Hmm….Williams is starting to land some hard, accurate punches.”

Bang! 

I jumped up to my feet and yelled “Ohhhhh! William’s got Hatton’ed”!

The punch that hurts the most is the punch you never see, and Williams was out before he hit the canvas.

Referee Earl Morton immediately waved off the fight without so much as a single count.  Williams’ body was limp face down while his eyes remained wide open and motionless.

Elation turned to concern as several tense moments went by before Williams was brought to his feet by paramedics.

"I got caught with a punch," Williams said

Martinez showed his respect for Williams during his interview with HBO boxing commentator Max Kellerman, breaking in mid-response to pay homage to Williams, “You are a tough fighter.” Martinez said as the two fighters embraced.

Looking very regal in his Burger King crown, Martinez said he wanted to make sure he would be victorious this time around, "I didn't want the judges to rob me this time."

Well it’s clear that’s exactly what Sergio intended, he left nothing to the judges and ensured his victory with one punch.

So now comes the question - What is Martinez to do next?  While Sergio remained open to any prospects or offers that would come his way, "I want to listen to all offers, and see what comes my way."

Lou DiBella, Sergio’s promoter, already had ideas of his own.  

"If you're Pacquiao, would you go near him? You think Mayweather will fight him?  We're going to have a problem making the next fight because that's how good he is." DiBella told AP

Avoided? - Maybe not, but definitely dangerous.