Paul Williams Robs Erislandy Lara of Win by Majority Decision

Erislandy Lara was flat-out robbed tonight as "officials" gave Paul Williams the win by majority decision.

First the Casey Anthony verdict and now this—what is wrong with America this week?!

The fight was scored 114-114, 114-115, and 114-116 by the three officials, who were not the best for the job, according to HBO's post-fight commentary. Max Kellerman called the decision "incompetent," "incomprehensible," and "shocking." 

Despite a four-inch height advantage and a 10-pound weight advantage, Williams was getting pummeled by Lara's overhand right, which was reminiscent of the powerhouse overhand right blow by Sergio Martinez that sent an unconscious Williams to the ground in the second round of their matchup. 

Lara was constantly landing power punches due to the fact that Williams' straightforward approach left him unprotected on the left side and, as commentators mentioned, "Lara just couldn't miss."

Williams threw over 1,000 punches over the 12 rounds, but only had a contact percentage of 19 percent, whereas Lara's percentage was over 40.

Even Williams' trainer, George Peterson, started telling Williams after Round 9 that he was going to have to knock out Lara in order to win and Williams said, "I know, I know."

Well, the knockout didn't happen and after 12 rounds of taking a beating, spitting out mouthfuls of blood and dealing with a nasty left eyebrow cut, Williams hung his head after the final bell and halfheartedly raised his arm as if in acknowledgment of his defeat. 

And yet, by some incomprehensible procession of incompetent "logic," Williams was announced as the winner despite Lara's jubilant raised arms and beaming camp. 

The smile on Lara's face was quickly replaced with a look of pure disbelief, as were the faces of any spectator with half a brain. 

Kellerman, in true Kellerman fashion, asked Williams point-blank why he thought he won the decision when he clearly didn't win the fight. Williams skirted the question and talked about his fight and motivation, blah blah blah. 

When it came down to it, Lara delivered, round after round, and Williams had no answer. And Williams should know better than to try to claim he deserved the win. The judges may be idiots, but the commentators, spectators and boxing fans aren't. 

Kudos to Kellerman for telling Lara on live television that he should consider the fight a win and that the boxing world should do the same.

Hopefully, Lara will get the rematch he wants, and he'll be able to prove—for the second time—that he is a better fighter than Paul Williams.

Until then, those judges should leave Atlantic City with their heads down in shame and HBO should evaluate their standards for what constitutes an "official."