Paul Williams, after suffering the letdown of Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik twice pulling out of widely-hyped showdowns, has lined-up no short order this Saturday night on HBO in the form of a game Sergio Garcia Martinez. Martinez, whose only professional loss was a stoppage at the hands of former welterweight champ Antonio Margarito, is a tough and skilled opponent who should contibute to the making of an entertaining bout. With that said, expect Williams to make good use of nearly a half-foot in reach advantage.
Williams, whose physique and punching ability is reminscent of a young Thomas Hearns, is looking to make the most of an HBO showcase. Expect him to will rely heavily on his reach and superior punching ability to stop Martinez before the final bell. A highlight reel knockout will only build Williams' stock as he hopes to assure himself a shot at Pavlik and the middleweight belt in the first half of 2010. The biggest hurdle in The Punisher's way is Martinez's chin, which should be able to hold up through a good deal of Williams' punishment. However, I see the former welterweight and junior middleweight titlist chipping away at Martinez's defense in the first seven rounds to position himself for a late stoppage.
Williams over Martinez by KO 9.
It's been just over two months since Chris Arreola's exhibitionof guts and will in a losing effort against WBC Champion Vitali Klitschko. Arreola not only suffered a late-round defeat, but was also suspended by the WBC for a profanity-laden commentary following the fight. While some of the more straight-laced and sensitive members of the HBO audiences may have taken offense of the contender's impassioned oratory, I found it to be rather inspiring and self-assuring that this young heavyweight is ready for another crack at the division's elite. In the post-fight interview with Larry Merchant, Arreola apolgized to his fans for falling short and promised that it would not be the last time that we'd see him contending for a world title.
Arreola faces the hard-hitting Pennsylvanian Brian Minto, whose knockout abilities have been featured on ESPN for several years now.
It will be interesting to see how Arreola enters the ring following his first professional loss. I envision this fight being a slugfest sans much or any technique at all. Look for Minto to go for an early knockout. If Arreola manages to stonewall Minto's early attack, he should be in line for a late-round knockout, or even a decision. Again, the question mark remains to be in Arreola's corner and with his ability to bounce back from a high-profile loss.
With that said, it's hard for me to go against Arreola. I'm looking for the former championship challenger to put Minto away late. But whatever the case, expect a barnburner in boxing's heaviest division.
Arreola over Minto KO 9.
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| Predictions: Cris Arreola vs. Brian Minto & Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martinez |
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| Examiner | Winners | For More... |
 Joseph Roche Providence Boxing |
Arreola - 5th Round |
Prizefight Primer: Arreola - Minto Prizefight Primer: Williams - Martinez |
 Samuel Rossi Columbus Boxing |
Arreola - 9th Round Williams - 9th Round |
Predictions: Paul Williams-Sergio Martinez ; Arreola-Minto |
 Scott Heritage Pittsburgh Fight Sports |
Arreola - Early Round Williams - Decision |
Predictions for this weekend's fights: Khan, Arreola and Williams |
 Colin Seymour SF Boxing |
Arreola - Early Round Williams |
Resisting temptation to pick Sergio Martinez over Paul Williams |
 Glenn Wilson Norfolk Boxing |
Arreola - 4th Round |
Weekend fight prediction: Chris Arreola by knockout, Paul Williams to win by decision |
 Colin Linneweber Boston Boxing |
Bute Decision |
Paul "The Punisher" Williams & Chris "Nightmare" Arreola will both win this weekend |
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