| Written by Kenneth Miller, (Managing Editor), on 11-20-2008 00:00 |
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 Some fighters just talk the talk and then there are those such as Paul “The Punisher” Williams who walks the walk.
Pomona’s Sugar Shane Mosley can be considered as one of those throwback fighters who is willing to mix it up with anyone, although his last debacle would leave much to be desired as to what he has left in the tank at 37 years of age. Then there is WBA welterweight champion Antonio Margarito, who seems to fight only when it is convenient for him. Fresh off his upset of previously undefeated Miguel Cotto, Margarito was last seen at Mosley’s mismatch against Ricardo Mayorga in Carson and he received a larger ovation than either Mosley, who was fighting, or Williams who was also in attendance at the Home Depot Center. Even as far away as Mexico City, Margarito is as much revered as Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez . Knocking out an undefeated Puerto Rican such as Cotto would earn you such lofty praise in your country or community. However, the praise that really makes fighters great is the praise receive in the boxing community and right now Margarito’s stock is sinking like WaMu because he has not signed a contract to fight anybody. Recent reports surfaced last week that he has yet to sign an agreed upon fight against Mosley, missing two appointment at his promoter Bob Arum office in Las Vegas. Margarito owes much more to Arum than that. The master builder of illusion greats, it has been Arum’s masterful marketing of Margarito that had many convinced that Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather was running from him. Truth be told, a couple of five time losers such as Mosley and Margarito are made for each other, but it’s doubtful that anyone would pay to see it. Mosley could not even draw a batch of flies to see him fight Mayorga at the same venue that was overflow with spectators for Williams/Margarito. So, last week Williams’s promoter Dan Goossen called out Mosley for a date with the lanky southpaw from Augusta, Georgia since Margarito has yet to return from the masquerade ball. It’s doubtful that Mosley and Williams would be anymore attractive in a receding economy than Margarito/Mosley would be, but at least to Goossen’s credit he’s reaching out on behalf of Williams to make a fight. Chances are he’s not going to get either one of them which is why most fight fans should make the trek to Ontario’s new state of the art Citizens Business Bank Arena on Nov. 29 to see the “The Punisher” display his gifts against IBF junior middleweight champion Verno Phillips. Sure Williams has one defeat on his resume that includes 35 victories and 26 kayos, but he avenged that one with a stylish first round KO against Carlos Quintana and has will fight four times this year, more fights than either Mosley or Margarito combined. Mosley is a class act, one of more likable fighters of his generation, but after canning his father Jack as his trainer again and the nasty spat that he having with his controlling wife Jin, he’s making more headlines outside the ring than he is in it. It has been well documented here that Margarito has been offered $4 million for a rematch against Williams, but money really isn’t the issue when it comes to Williams. It’s rather a matter of safety. If you can fight someone and make less and pile up victories against beatable opponents then you will ultimately make that money over about five or six fights. Fighters are not the only ones who fear Williams, just check the latest supply of the pound for pound rankings and you will not him at the height of those list either. He is as squeaky clean as Oscar De La Hoya, with a combination of skills that would incorporate fighters from at least four generations and his future is quite bright at 27 years of age. Gotta love his promoter who until someone grows guts will continue to keep “The Punisher” busy in their quest for certified glory. Here he is Shane! Here he is Antonio! Here he is Oscar! Paul “The Punisher” Williams! Come and get some... Last update: 11-19-2008 23:38
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