What do a pair of fearless world champions do - one who is the most feared fighter and the other most avoided - when no other fighter is willing to get into the ring with them?  They fight each other.

Williams has established himself as a modern day Henry Armstrong willing to take on the toughest challenges in a multitude of weight divisions.

“Paul has earned his reputation as the most feared fighter in the world today,” said Williams’ promoter, Dan Goossen. 

Pavlik out Martinez is in

The rangy 6-2 southpaw, who has WBO world titles at 147 (twice) and 154 pounds, was raring to get inside the ring with WBC/WBO Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik in Atlantic City – unfortunately the originally-scheduled October 3rd as well as the subsequently rescheduled December 5th bout never happened – Pavlik pulling out of both before Williams could grab those belts.   

Enter WBC Super Welterweight Champion Sergio Martinez. 

“Pavlik had separation anxiety I guess,” said Williams. “He didn’t want his belts taken away from him.  I’ll get them eventually. 

“I salute Sergio Martinez for carrying himself like the champion he is to get in the ring with me and enable me to keep the December 5th date so that I can show my fans in Atlantic City what “The Punisher” is all about up close and personal.  Unfortunately for Martinez, he is going to absorb the punishment I planned for Pavlik.”

Martinez is a 34-year old, 5-11 southpaw from Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain via Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina.  A 12-year pro, he was undefeated in 16 fights before sustaining his only loss at the hands of Antonio Margarito almost ten years ago.  He won his next 28 fights – culminated by an eighth-round stoppage of Alex Bunema to claim the Interim WBC Light Middleweight title in October of last year. 

“This is the challenge I’ve been struggling to get. Now it’s up to me to show the World what I have,” said Martinez. 

Martinez put the boxing world on notice that he was a fighter to be reckoned with when he defended his title against former IBF titleholder Kermit Cintron and retained the belt via majority draw in a bout that most observers thought he won. 

“I know I can beat Williams and believe me, I’ll be ready to do just that.”

“He hasn’t been waiting quite as long as Paul Williams, but after his performances against Bunema and Kermit no one has wanted any part of this kid,” said Lou DiBella, promoter of Martinez, who will move up to middleweight to face Williams.  “We’re grateful that we are getting this opportunity in such a huge forum to show what this kid can do.  

“Here you have two of the very best fighters at their weight showing why they’re the very best because they are not reluctant to take on any challenge.”

According to his promoter, Dan Goossen, Williams, who has been featured primarily in shows in California and Las Vegas, may become a familiar face in Atlantic City.

“Paul Williams is an east coast fighter that will become a staple in Atlantic City,” Goossen, asserted.  “He’s been training out of Washington, DC for years and his offensive-minded style and knockout power is what the fans want to see in their favorite fighters.”

“Sergio Martinez is a tough fight.  There’s a reason other champions have been reluctant to fight him.”