Most boxing news sites around the globe (including this one) have described Martinez vs. Williams II as the bout that went from being a probable Fight of the Year contender to being a Knockout of the Year contender. On paper, few verdicts seem as certain as a cold, crushing 2nd Round knockout, but in boxing the paper story rarely tells the real story.
In this instance, Paul Williams got caught flush by a punch that would have flattened any fighter all the way up to cruiserweight – a short, direct left that had most of Martinez’s body behind it and that landed square on the cheek. Sergio Martinez justly deserves all the praise he is receiving, but let’s be frank with the facts: it took Martinez 14 rounds over two fights to land that punch. If Martinez and Williams were to meet again, such a punch might not land for another 14 rounds, another 28 rounds, or never. For that reason, Martinez and Williams should eventually get around to making a rubber match.
Of course, such a bout need not and should not take place immediately. Sergio Martinez is angling for a crack at Manny Pacquiao and has bigger things on his mind than a third go with Williams. For his part, Paul Williams has suffered the awkward ending to the clash with Kermit Cintron and then endured the crushing defeat to Martinez. “The Punisher” needs to get his career back on track. Still, the bottom line is that Martinez vs. Williams did not prove anything, especially when we consider how hotly contested the first bout was. If these two men come back a year or two from now and have a third go around, the results might be another closely contested barn-burner.
For that reason alone, the fact that their second encounter ended so decisively should not be an impediment to a third go-around. Such a fight might not happen for any number of reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of the men involved. The “KO2” on Paul Williams’ record should not be among them.
