Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Carl Froch, Paul Williams, Winky Wright Jermain Taylor
(KNOCKOUT NATION – DECEMBER 19, 2008)
There is strong word in the boxing world that Winky Wright may be facing Jermain Taylor in a rematch in the 1st quarter of 2009. Taylor was penciled in to face WBC Super Middleweight champion Carl Froch, but apparently HBO does not want to approve the fight. Froch, who is a good fighter, could possibly be overlooked as his name simply isn’t big enough in the states. In steps Winky Wright.
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Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Antonio Margarito, Bernard Hopkins, Chad Dawson, Isreal Vasquez, Joe Calzaghe, Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams, Ricky Hatton
(KNOCKOUT NATION – DECEMBER 11, 2008)
1. Manny Pacquiao – The Pacman certainly solidified his spot as the # 1 Pound for Pound fighter by moving up multiple divisions to stop Oscar De la Hoya at welterweight. In terms of pure skill, an argument could be made for Joe Calzaghe, but Manny’s spectacular wins can’t be denied. With his recent dominating victories over David Diaz and cash cow, Oscar De La Hoya, Pacquiao is now one of the biggest names in the sport. Having won 4 titles in 4 weight divisions, and capturing the WBC Lightweight and Super Featherweight titles, Pacquiao has several golden options for 2009. One bout that has been well publicized is a possible matchup with Ricky Hatton at 140 for his Ring Welterweight title. This would be a mega fight that would certainly draw big money. Another mega fight could be against Floyd Mayweather Jr. who is rumored to make his return in 2009. Pacquiao vs. Mayweather at 40 or 47 would be the biggest fight that could possibly be made next year. Bar None. Additionaly, Manny still has unfinished business with Juan Manuel Marquez who many feel actually beat Pacquiao in their last two encounters. Although both decisions were controversial, it’s clear that Manny has proved to be Juan’s toughest opponent in flooring him 4 times over 24 rounds. No matter what lies next, Manny has proven his status as a truly elite fighter and is certainly the most exciting fighter in the sport to watch. Continue reading
(KNOCKOUT NATION – JULY 23, 2008)
What do you think about your last fight against Quintana?
Paul Williams: The last fight I knew I had something to get up for and not get caught off guard ever again… of course it was more than something I had to prove in the ring. I had to show that I had could take on a fellow who just beat me and virtually destroy him once the bell rang. I proved he didn’t have my number. The media was saying I would have no answer for Quintana’s left and I had to prove them wrong. I had something to prove to everyone and it was tough having to wait four months for me to do it..
How great a feeling was having a superstar type of performance?
It went just as I expected. Actually, I thought he would be able to last more than 2 rounds with me. I at least went the distance when he took his best shot and he couldn’t take mine for 2 minutes.
Talk to me about Antonio Margarito and your victory against him?
Antonio Margarito was another one that I could get up from. I was helping Margarito prepare for the Daniel Santos fight when his team hired me out there for 4 weeks and after a week they decided that they would send me home because I was getting the best of him during each sparring session. His team denied it and continues to deny why they sent me home. But because I knew why it continued to bother me so I began to prepare to be the number #1 contender so that I can fight this guy and prove my point. They kept saying that he was the most feared fighter in the world but I had spanked him that week in training. So I knew that he was not in fact the best welterweight in the world and I wanted to show who was the best.
Is there anything that you would do differently now if you fought him again?
Yes, definitely. He’s a one dimensional fighter and I’m a boxer-puncher so there are a lot of things that I can do but I would never expose my strategy unless we should ever encounter each other in the ring again. I’m so much better today, especially mentality, and there isn’t any welterweight in the world that can stand up to me.
What is Margarito’s advantage over Cotto?
I really don’t see that he does have an advantage over Cotto.
What do you think about Cotto?
I think that Cotto is a well rounded fighter that is tough and strong. Bother fighters are evenly matched. Whoever is in control that night will win the fight.
How would you fight Cotto?
If I were to fight Cotto, I would fight him like I would any of my opponents that I have taken on or will take on. I will train hard and prepare to come in the ring at my best and be ready for war. It’s hard for welterweights to prepare for my size and power.
What is Cotto’s advantage over Margarito?
I really don’t see an advantage. As I said earlier, whoever is in control will win. It’s an even match.
What weight do you feel most comfortable at? 147? 154? or 160?
It really doesn’t matter because I have fought at each one of those weight classes. But if I had to choose a weight it would be welterweight (147).
Give me your final thoughts on Saturday’s upcoming fight? How do you see the fight going? Who do you pick to win?
It’s going to be a good fight as long as it lasts. I don’t see it going the distance.
If Cotto wins?
Unless he fights Oscar, he has to come through me to determine the BEST welterweight in the world. Remember, if he wins, he beats the man I already beat.
A Margarito victory?
It’s a no-brainer, the rematch is on. Can’t take nothing away from Margarito, he didn’t dump his belt in a trash can to avoid me. He fought like a man that night, and I’ve always said I would give him the rematch.
Filed under: Boxing | Tags: Antonio Tarver, Chad Dawson, David Diaz, Evander Holyfield, Felix Trinidad, Kelly Pavlik, Manny Pacquiao, Paul Williams
(KNOCKOUT NATION – JULY 11, 2008)
– Reports have surfaced that middleweight champion Kelly “the Ghost” Pavlik may be facing newly crowned WBO welterweight champion Paul Williams. Pavlik’s promoter Bob Arum spoke with maxboxing.com’s Steve Kim and confirmed that a tentative deal has been reached with Williams’ promoter Dan Gossen. Arum claims that although a deal was reached, he is not completly sure and would not say it is 100% done. According to Arum, several other potential opponents like Winky Wright and Sergio Mora have priced themselves out of the fight. The fight would presumably take place in the fall and would see Paul Williams moving up 13 pounds to take on Pavlik at the middlweight limit.
– WBC Light Heavyweight champion Chad Dawson has informed the WBC that he will be relinquishing his title as he is not willing to face challenger Adrian Dianconao. According to recent reports, Dawson is instead headed toward a Light Heavyweight showdown with Antonio Tarver to be aired on Showtime on October 11th.
– Manny Pacquiao appears to be headed toward a defense of his WBC lightweight titile against Top Rank’s Humberto Soto. Since his win over David Diaz, it has been rumored that Pacman would face Super Featherweight sensation Edwin Valero. However, Bob Arum has indicated that he is unsure if Valero would be medically cleared to fight in Las vegas, Nevada. Soto was recently seen losing a controversial disqualification loss to Francisco Lorenzo. However, most if not all fans realize his disqualification was clearly a bad call on the referee’s part. A tentative date of November 15th has been set for Planet Hollywood in Las vegas.
– Former Lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo returns to the ring as he takes on Sebastion Lujan July 30th on ESPN Wednesday Night Fights. The fight will be contested at the welterweight level as Castillo attempts to make another run at a championship. The card will be promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions.
– Good news for future hall of famer, Evander Holyfield. Holyfield seems to be getting a grasp on his financial issues together and recently arranged a settlement with his sons mother to take care of his outstanding child support payments. It also appears he made a deal with Washington Mutual Bank to keep his home which was rumored to be in foreclosure as he defaulted on a loan. Hopefully everything will work out for the champ.
– Rumors have surfaced that Oscar De La Hoya may be looking to face Felix “Tito” Trinidad in a rematch for the final fight of his career. Richard Schaeffer of Golden Boy Promotions has been in reported talks with Trinidad’s promoter Don King about that potential fight. What is not clear is the weight the fight would be fought at. Trinidad has constantly said that he would not be willing to go below the 165 weight limit and Oscar would have to move up. This fight is only in talks and is far from being done. Most in boxing have doubts about this fight and Team Trinidad does as well. They have stated that Oscar is only using Tito’s name as leverage to get other fights. We will have to see what happens with this one. Of course the winner of Cotto and Maragrito remains and option, and there’s always that other fighter from St. Petersburg, Florida that’s available………..
(KNOCKOUT NATION NEWS – June 8, 2008) Paul Williams regained the WBO welterweight champion in spectacular fashion after he avenged his previous defeat to Carlos Quintana last night in Uncasville, Connecticut. With a dominant left hook,Williams dropped Quintana twice in the first round before the bout was called to a halt at 2:15 in the first round. Williams record improves to 34-1 and Quintana drops to 25-2.
Williams said, “We had a good training camp. We had good sparring (including Luis Collazo). We did a lot of strength training at 3, 4 AM. I take nothing away from Quintana. He caught me on a bad night. This time, everything was good. Clicking on time. The power was there.”
Of his embarrassing loss to in February, Williams said, “You can’t accept winning if you can’t accept losing. My trainer and I looked at the film and said ‘We’ll let him come to us next time.’ Now I got the belt back.”
Filed under: Boxing | Tags: David Haye, ESPN, Hasim Rahman, James Toney, Jin Mosley, Joshua Clottey, Juan Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez, Michael Katsidis, Paul Williams, Sergio Mora, Shane Mosley, Vernon Forrest, Zab Judah
– As boxing fans wait in anticipation, we still have no idea if the proposed match up between Joel Cassamayor and Nate Campbell will actually take place. Promoter Don King won the purse bid to stage the fight offering $1,220,000.00. King beat out Golden Boy Promotions who only bid $571,000.00 . So at this point the ball is in Cassamayor’s corner to decide if he will take the fight with Campbell or take on Golden Boy’s Juan Diaz who was just beaten by Campbell. It is reported that Cassamayor, who holds the Ring lightweight belt, will make more money fighting Diaz, however most fans and media are calling for him to face Cassamayor to truly prove who the best lightweight in the division is. Many are of the opinion that Golden Boy Promotions is attempting to keep the Ring Belt in their stable as proposed fights for Cassamayor have included Juan Manuel Marquez, Juan Diaz, and Michael Katsidis – All Golden Boy promoted fighters. Nate Campbell has come on record saying that Cassamayor is avoiding him and regardless if it’s Cassamayor he is fighting, he looks to return to the ring sometime in July. KO Nation will keep you updated on the status of this potential fight.
Filed under: Boxing | Tags: Carlos Quintana, Paul Williams, Sergio Mora, Vernon Forrest
In Preperation of Showtime’s June 7th Doubleheader, the fighers and promoters talk about the big fight card:
Question: Lou DiBella, Dan Goossen, Paul, Vernon, Jeff Wald, and Sergio, can you provide us with some opening comments?
DiBella: I am pleased to have my champion, Carlos Quintana, defend his title for the first time, giving a rematch to the ex champion who the granted him the opportunity. It was a terrific fight the first time. I think people saw the terrific ability of Quintana and the strategy and toughness of Quintana and, frankly, the best of Quintana when he beat Williams.
But, Williams has big wins over Antonio Margarito and was a terrific champion in his own right. He is one of the tallest and has one of the biggest reaches I’ve ever seen in the welterweight division, and is a very dangerous guy.
Knockout Nation 