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{{short description|American boxer}}
{{Infobox Boxer
{{Infobox boxer
|name=Paul Williams
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: |image=Paul Williams.JPG --> | name = Paul Williams
|realname=Paul Williams | image = Paul Williams (boxer).jpg
| caption = Williams vs. ], 2010
|nickname=The Punisher
| nickname = {{plainlist|
|nationality={{flagicon|USA}} ]
*The Punisher
|weight= Welterweight
*P-Will
|height= 6 ft. 1 in. (185 cm.)
}}
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1981|7|27|mf=y}}
| weight = {{plainlist|
|birth_place=], ]
*]
|death_date=
*]
|death_place=
*]
|style=]
}}
|total=35
| height = 6 ft 2 in<ref name=stats>'']'' tale of the tape prior to the ] fight.</ref>
|wins=34
| reach = 78 in<ref name=stats/>
|KO=25
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|7|27}}
|losses=1
| birth_place = ], U.S.
|draws=0
| style = ]
|no contests=0
| total = 43
|}}
| wins = 41
'''Paul Williams''' (born ], ], in ]) is an ] ] and is the reigning two-time ] welterweight champion. At 6'1, Paul is considered extremely tall for a ].
| KO = 27
| losses = 2
}}


'''Paul Williams''' (born July 27, 1981) is an American former ] who competed from 2000 to 2012. He held the ] ] title twice between 2007 and 2008, the WBO ] ] title in 2008, and challenged once for the unified ] title in 2010. Nicknamed "The Punisher", and standing at a height of 6&nbsp;feet 2&nbsp;inches, Williams was unusually tall for the three divisions in which he competed. His career was cut short in 2012 after a motorcycle accident left him ].<ref name="spinalcord1">{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/8048632/|title=Paul Williams' future uncertain|first=Norm|last=Frauenheim|date=June 13, 2012|agency=Associated Press|publisher=]|access-date=September 20, 2012}}</ref><ref name="spinalcord2">{{cite magazine|url=http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/173321|title=Manager: Williams in good spirits, adds 'We like where we are'|first=Lem|last=Satterfield|date=June 13, 2012|magazine=]|accessdate=September 20, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234141/http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/173321|archivedate=December 2, 2013}}</ref>
== Career ==
Paul got his start in boxing from the suggestion of a family friend who saw him fight in a school bus. The driver suggested that Paul use his energy in the boxing gym at Aiken boxing club, and connected him with a manager and trainer. Williams fought only 20-25 fights as an amateur before turning pro at the age 19.<ref> ] ] accessed 1 August 2006.</ref>


== Professional career ==
His debut was in 2000. He is promoted by the ]s. In 2005 he outpointed amateur star ] (record 25-2), later that year he knocked out Alfonso Sanchez in 5 rounds.
=== Early years at welterweight ===
His ] debut was a second round knockout of ] on ]. Williams made his ] debut against undefeated ] winning by a tenth round technical knockout, followed by a victory over former junior welterweight world champion ]. He knocked Mitchell down three times en route to a fourth round TKO.
His debut was in the year 2000. He is promoted by the Goossens. In 2005 he outpointed former Olympic bronze medalist Terrence Cauthen and, later that year, he knocked out Alfonso Sanchez in 5 rounds.
His ] debut was a second-round knockout of Sergio Rios on ]. Williams made his ] debut against then-undefeated ], winning by a tenth-round technical knockout.<ref group="Video">{{Cite video|date=June 30, 2011|title=HBO Boxing: Paul Williams's Greatest Hits (HBO) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov7G3BOnGcI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/ov7G3BOnGcI |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|medium=] video: Fights against Walter Matthysse, Sharmba Mitchell, Santos Pakau, Antonio Margarito, Carlos Quintana (first meeting), Verno Phillips, Winky Wright, Sergio Martínez (first meeting) and Kermit Cintrón|publisher=]|accessdate=September 19, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> That was followed by a victory over former junior welterweight world champion ]. He knocked Mitchell down three times en route to a fourth-round TKO.


=== WBO welterweight title === ==== WBO Welterweight Championship ====
<!-- Commented out: ].]] -->
Williams became the mandatory challenger for ] welterweight champion ]. The match occurred July 14, 2007, in ], at the Home Depot Center.
Williams became the ] for ] ] Champion ]. The match took place July 14, 2007, in ], at the Home Depot Center with Williams winning a unanimous decision in which turned out to be a close fight where Williams' seemingly stronger finish seemed to seal him the decision victory in the eyes of boxing experts and fans alike.
Williams fought ] on ], ] in his first defense of his title. Williams was out boxed by the challenger Quintana throughout and lost by decision.
Williams fought ] on February 9, 2008, in his first defense of his title. Williams lost to Quintana by decision in what many considered a minor upset.


Williams and Quintana had a rematch at the ] in ] on ], ] for the WBO welterweight title. Williams got off to a quick start when a left hand sent Quintana into a daze as several follow-up barrages put Quintana down. He got up, but Williams opened up with dozens of unanswered punches as the referee jumped in to stop the fight while Quintana was going down again.<ref> BoxingScene.com URL accessed 9 June 2008.</ref> Williams and Quintana had a rematch at the ] in ] on June 7, 2008, for the WBO Welterweight title, at Williams' request. Williams got off to a quick start when a left hand sent Quintana into a daze as several follow-up barrages put Quintana down. He got up, but Williams opened up with dozens of unanswered punches as the referee jumped in to stop the fight while Quintana was going down again.<ref> BoxingScene.com URL accessed 9 June 2008.</ref>


Williams was rumored to be moving up two weight classes to fight Kelly Pavlik for the WBO Middleweight Title but instead Pavlik has decided to move up two weight classes himself to fight Bernard Hopkins. Williams has not yet chosen his next opponent, but may have a unification rematch with WBA Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito. Williams was rumored to be moving up two weight classes to fight ] for the ] ] title but instead Pavlik himself decided to move up two weight classes himself to fight ]. Williams fought ] on September 25. Williams dominated the fight from the start and recorded a first-round knockout in 1:37 seconds.
He has become one of the biggist punks in boxing


== See also == === Light Middleweight ===
After failing to secure another meaningful contest at welterweight, Williams vacated his WBO welterweight title in order to fight ] for the WBO Interim ] title.


On November 29, 2008, Williams defeated Phillips by way of TKO after 8 rounds after the Doctor stopped the fight. In doing so he secured the WBO Interim Light Middleweight title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secondsout.com/USA/news.cfm?ccs=229&cs=41848 |title=SecondsOut Boxing News - USA Boxing News - Williams Batters Phillips/ Arreola De-rails 'Freight Train' |publisher=Secondsout.com |date=2008-11-30 |accessdate=2014-05-08}}</ref>
* ]

=== Middleweight ===
==== Winky Wright ====
Williams fought ] on April 11, 2009, in a 12-round middleweight bout featured on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=17731 |title=Paul Williams-Winky Wright Agreement Reached For April - Boxing News |publisher=Boxingscene.com |date=2009-01-04 |accessdate=2014-05-08}}</ref> Williams defeated Wright in a unanimous decision which was not close on the scorecards &ndash; two of the three judges gave Williams all but one round while the third scored all 12 rounds for Williams.

Williams was then preparing to fight Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik in a bout scheduled to take place on October 3, 2009, in ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rafael |first=Dan |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4366393&name=rafael_dan |title=Dan Rafael Blog - ESPN |publisher=] |date= |access-date=2014-05-08}}</ref> The bout was postponed when it was discovered Pavlik had a staph infection in his knuckle and had been rescheduled for December 5. However, the bout was called off for a second time six weeks prior to the fight because Pavlik's infection had not completely healed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4583115 |title=Infection on finger of Kelly Pavlik's left hand forces title fight vs. Paul Williams to be called off - ESPN |publisher=] |date=2009-10-21 |access-date=2014-05-08}}</ref>

==== Sergio Martínez ====
On December 5, 2009, Paul Williams fought ] in a war of a twelve-round main event. In the first round Martinez was knocked down due to bad balance and a grazing left hand that landed just below the ear. In the final seconds of the 1st round though Martinez scored a knockdown of his own over Williams. The next two rounds were heavily in Martinez's favor as he hit Williams with barrages of counter punches. After Martinez was seemingly won the first 3 rounds, rounds 4-7 showed Williams coming back effectively landing hard lefts to the head of Martinez. In rounds 8-10 Martinez again confused Williams with using different varieties of punches, including straight lead lefts to the body followed by right hooks to the head and straight lefts to the face. The final 2 rounds showed much fatigue in Martinez and Williams but both warriors fought through to the end, although Williams seemed to win both of the last 2 rounds by being the far more active boxer (while the punching exchanges were very closely contested during those final 2 rounds as well), which would ultimately prove to be the difference and as a result of having far superior activity during those final 2 rounds, Williams won a close majority decision over Martinez. The judges scored the fight 114–114, 115–113 for Williams and 119–110 for Williams, thus making Williams emerge as the majority decision winner.

==== Kermit Cintron ====
After his close win over Sergio Martínez, Paul Williams moved on to face Puerto Rican prospect ]. The two met on May 8, 2010, Live on Saturday Night HBO Boxing. In the fourth round, Kermit Cintron fell out of the ring unintentionally and was not allowed to continue fighting due to hitting the arena floor. Williams was ahead on two of the three judges' scorecards at the time of the stoppage and was declared the winner by split technical decision.<ref>{{cite web
| last =Sandoval
| first =Luis
| title =Paul Williams Decisions Kermit Cintron, A Wild Ending
| publisher =BoxingScene.com
| date =May 8, 2010
| url =http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=27623
| accessdate =May 9, 2010}}</ref> Cintron, who believed he should have been ahead on the scorecards, filed a complaint to have the ruling changed to a no-contest, claiming he was not given the five-minute recovery time allowed under California rules.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=27633 |title=Cintron Furious: They Reverse It or I'm Done With Boxing - Boxing News |publisher=Boxingscene.com |date= 9 May 2010|accessdate=2014-05-08}}</ref>

=== ] ===
]
A highly anticipated rematch with Sergio Martinez eventually materialized at ], Atlantic City, New Jersey on November 20, 2010. Upon the Williams camp's insistence, the fight was contested at the catchweight limit of 158 pounds instead of the middleweight limit of 160, with Martinez's WBC Middleweight title on the line.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/bryan_armen_graham/11/21/sergio.martinez.paul.williams/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214072147/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/bryan_armen_graham/11/21/sergio.martinez.paul.williams/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 14, 2011 | work=CNN | title=Martinez rises to pound-for-pound elite after KO of Williams | date=2010-11-21}}</ref> The fight was billed as a potential "fight-of-the-year," however the fight ended abruptly and dramatically when ] delivered a knockout blow with 2:02 left in the 2nd round. The punch was a short left cross that caught Williams right on the chin as he attempted to deliver a left-hand of his own. Williams' right hand was at his waist when the punch landed, rendering Paul Williams unconscious upon contact.

=== Erislandy Lara ===
On July 9, 2011, Paul Williams fought in a light middleweight contest in Atlantic City against former Cuban amateur sensation Erislandy Lara. Throughout the fight, Lara repeatedly hit Williams with hard left hands and appeared to have won the fight convincingly in the eyes of the HBO crew and those sitting at ringside.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.badlefthook.com/2011/7/10/2269391/paul-williams-vs-erislandy-lara-decision-judging-new-jersey |title=Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara Decision Update: New Jersey Commission To Speak To Judges |publisher=Bad Left Hook |date= 10 July 2011|accessdate=2014-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://queensberry-rules.com/2011-articles/july/paul-williams-tops-erislandy-lara-in-one-of-the-worst-decisions-youll-ever-see.html |title=Paul Williams Tops Erislandy Lara In One Of The Worst Decisions You'll Ever See |publisher=Queensberry Rules |date=2011-07-10 |accessdate=2014-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=May 2014}}</ref> However, the judges awarded Williams with a narrow majority decision, a highly controversial verdict that ultimately led to the suspension of the three judges by the New Jersey Athletic Control Board.
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/6767425/paul-williams-erislandy-lara-judges-suspended-new-jersey-state-athletic-control-board |title=Paul Williams-Erislandy Lara judges suspended by New Jersey State Athletic Control Board - ESPN |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=2011-07-13 |access-date=2014-05-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Iole |first=Kevin |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=ki-iole_williams_lara_judge_suspensions_071311 |title=New Jersey suspends Williams-Lara judges - Yahoo Sports |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date=2011-07-13 |accessdate=2014-05-08}}</ref>

== Motorcycle accident and paralysis ==
On May 27, 2012, Williams was severely injured when he crashed his motorcycle in Georgia. He swerved to avoid hitting a car while traveling at about 75&nbsp;mph on the motorcycle and was launched sixty feet. Witnesses say he landed on his head and his body "folded like a suitcase."<ref group="Video" name="shosports">{{Cite video|date=September 21, 2012|title=Showtime Boxing: Paul Williams Interview with Jim Gray - SHOWTIME|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfJUnt8k3is |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/EfJUnt8k3is |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|medium=YouTube video|publisher=]|accessdate=September 24, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The accident left him with part of his spinal cord severely bruised, paralyzing him from the waist down. Since it was bruised and not severed, it gives him a chance to regain sensation.<ref name="spinalcord1" /><ref name="spinalcord2" /> The doctors told Williams the swelling could go down in a year or two, potentially giving him a chance of walking again. The accident came as Williams was preparing for his PPV main event against ] on September 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/7961636/saul-canelo-alvarez-face-paul-williams-sept-15-par-per-view-bout|title= Saul Alvarez to face Paul Williams|first=Dan|last=Rafael|access-date= 2012-05-29|date=2012-05-23|publisher=ESPN}}</ref> "I'm just chilling in a wheelchair because I got tired of walking," Williams said in an interview with ] on '']'' on the day he was supposed to fight. "Whether I am walking or not walking, my game ain't over until the Lord takes my life."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/174787|title=Paul Williams: "I think I can come back"|first=Norm|last=Frauenheim|date=September 14, 2012|publisher=The Ring|accessdate=September 19, 2012}}</ref><ref group="Video" name="shosports" />

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|ko-wins=27
|ko-losses=1
|dec-wins=13
|dec-losses=1
|dq-wins=1
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|43
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–2
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|UD
|12
|Feb 18, 2012
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–2
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|MD
|12
|Jul 9, 2011
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|
|-
|41
|{{no2}}Loss
|39–2
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|KO
|2 (12), {{small|1:10}}
|]
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For ] and ]}}
|-
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–1
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|{{abbr|TD|Technical decision}}
|4 (12), {{small|3:00}}
|May 8, 2010
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Split TD: Cintrón unable to continue after falling out of the ring}}
|-
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–1
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|{{abbr|MD|Majority decision}}
|12
|Dec 5, 2009
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|38
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–1
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|UD
|12
|Apr 11, 2009
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}
|
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–1
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|TKO
|8 (12), {{small|3:00}}
|Nov 29, 2008
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won WBO ] ] title}}
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–1
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|1:37}}
|Sep 25, 2008
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–1
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|TKO
|1 (12), {{small|2:15}}
|Jun 7, 2008
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won WBO welterweight title}}
|-
|34
|{{no2}}Loss
|33–1
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|UD
|12
|Feb 9, 2008
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost WBO welterweight title}}
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–0
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|UD
|12
|Jul 14, 2007
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won ]}}
|-
|32
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Santos Pakau
|TKO
|6 (10), {{small|2:16}}
|Nov 4, 2006
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–0
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|KO
|4 (12), {{small|2:57}}
|Aug 19, 2006
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC–USNBC and WBO–NABO welterweight titles}}
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–0
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|TKO
|10 (12), {{small|1:56}}
|May 27, 2006
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant ]–] welterweight title}}
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Sergio Rios
|KO
|2 (10), {{small|2:24}}
|Apr 12, 2006
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won ]–] ] title}}
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Alfonso Sanchez
|KO
|5 (10), {{small|1:12}}
|Dec 2, 2005
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Marteze Logan
|UD
|8
|Sep 30, 2005
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–0
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|UD
|10
|Apr 22, 2005
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Sammy Sparkman
|TKO
|4 (8)
|Nov 11, 2004
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], Washington, D.C., U.S.}}
|
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Javier Hector Valadez
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|1:08}}
|Sep 23, 2004
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Luis Hernandez
|UD
|10
|May 7, 2004
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Rodolfo Gomez
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|2:43}}
|Feb 6, 2004
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.}}
|
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Arturo Rodriguez
|KO
|1 (8)
|Nov 7, 2003
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Benjie Marquez
|{{abbr|DQ|Disqualification}}
|3 (6)
|Aug 26, 2003
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Marquez disqualified for hitting after the bell}}
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Earl Jackson
|TKO
|2 (6), {{small|2:52}}
|Jan 3, 2003
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Thunderbird Wild West Casino, ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Joshua Onyango
|UD
|6
|Oct 18, 2002
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], Buffalo, New York, U.S.}}
|
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Gary Grant
|TKO
|2 (6)
|Jul 27, 2002
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Jarrell's Boxing Gym, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–0
|style="text-align:left;"| ]
|UD
|6
|Apr 5, 2002
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Agustin Silva
|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|4
|Jan 4, 2002
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Mahan Washington
|TKO
|3 (6), {{small|1:44}}
|Dec 7, 2001
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Willie McDonald
|TKO
|1 (6)
|Sep 29, 2001
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Jarrell's Boxing Gym, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Robert Muhammad
|TKO
|5
|Aug 25, 2001
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Savannah, Georgia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Rhon Roberts
|TKO
|4
|Jul 3, 2001
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], Georgia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Miguel Aquila
|TKO
|3
|Mar 31, 2001
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Augusta, Georgia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Henry Hawkins
|TKO
|1
|Jan 27, 2001
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Augusta, Georgia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Miguel Aquila
|TKO
|2
|Dec 14, 2000
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Columbus, Georgia, U.S.}}
|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Rohan Nanton
|TKO
|1
|Dec 9, 2000
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], U.S.}}
|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Eleser Ortega
|TKO
|1
|Oct 28, 2000
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|Jarrell's Boxing Gym, ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|style="text-align:left;"| James Young
|TKO
|3
|Oct 19, 2000
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], U.S.}}
|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Adrian McNeil
|KO
|1
|Sep 30, 2000
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], U.S.}}
|
|-
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Richard Burns
|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}
|1 (4), {{small|1:56}}
|Aug 18, 2000
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Matt Hill
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}
|1
|Aug 1, 2000
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], U.S.}}
|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"| Jeremy Mickelson
|{{abbr|PTS|Points decision}}
|4
|Jul 21, 2000
|style="text-align:left;"| {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|
|}


== References == == References ==
{{Reflist}}
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>

=== Video references ===
{{Reflist|group=Video}}


== External links == == External links ==
*{{Boxrec|id=020755}}
*
* {{boxrec|id=020755|name=Paul Williams}}


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|years=June 7, 2008 – November 12, 2008<br>Vacated}}
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|years= November 29, 2008 – November 7, 2009<br>Vacated}}
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Latest revision as of 00:40, 8 September 2024

American boxer
Paul Williams
Williams vs. Martínez, 2010
Born (1981-07-27) July 27, 1981 (age 43)
Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
Other names
  • The Punisher
  • P-Will
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Reach78 in (198 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights43
Wins41
Wins by KO27
Losses2

Paul Williams (born July 27, 1981) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2000 to 2012. He held the WBO welterweight title twice between 2007 and 2008, the WBO interim junior middleweight title in 2008, and challenged once for the unified middleweight title in 2010. Nicknamed "The Punisher", and standing at a height of 6 feet 2 inches, Williams was unusually tall for the three divisions in which he competed. His career was cut short in 2012 after a motorcycle accident left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Professional career

Early years at welterweight

His debut was in the year 2000. He is promoted by the Goossens. In 2005 he outpointed former Olympic bronze medalist Terrence Cauthen and, later that year, he knocked out Alfonso Sanchez in 5 rounds. His ESPN debut was a second-round knockout of Sergio Rios on Wednesday Night Fights. Williams made his HBO debut against then-undefeated Walter Matthysse, winning by a tenth-round technical knockout. That was followed by a victory over former junior welterweight world champion Sharmba Mitchell. He knocked Mitchell down three times en route to a fourth-round TKO.

WBO Welterweight Championship

Williams became the mandatory challenger for WBO Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito. The match took place July 14, 2007, in Carson, California, at the Home Depot Center with Williams winning a unanimous decision in which turned out to be a close fight where Williams' seemingly stronger finish seemed to seal him the decision victory in the eyes of boxing experts and fans alike. Williams fought Carlos Quintana on February 9, 2008, in his first defense of his title. Williams lost to Quintana by decision in what many considered a minor upset.

Williams and Quintana had a rematch at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on June 7, 2008, for the WBO Welterweight title, at Williams' request. Williams got off to a quick start when a left hand sent Quintana into a daze as several follow-up barrages put Quintana down. He got up, but Williams opened up with dozens of unanswered punches as the referee jumped in to stop the fight while Quintana was going down again.

Williams was rumored to be moving up two weight classes to fight Kelly Pavlik for the WBC Middleweight title but instead Pavlik himself decided to move up two weight classes himself to fight Bernard Hopkins. Williams fought Andy Kolle on September 25. Williams dominated the fight from the start and recorded a first-round knockout in 1:37 seconds.

Light Middleweight

After failing to secure another meaningful contest at welterweight, Williams vacated his WBO welterweight title in order to fight Verno Phillips for the WBO Interim Light Middleweight title.

On November 29, 2008, Williams defeated Phillips by way of TKO after 8 rounds after the Doctor stopped the fight. In doing so he secured the WBO Interim Light Middleweight title.

Middleweight

Winky Wright

Williams fought Winky Wright on April 11, 2009, in a 12-round middleweight bout featured on HBO. Williams defeated Wright in a unanimous decision which was not close on the scorecards – two of the three judges gave Williams all but one round while the third scored all 12 rounds for Williams.

Williams was then preparing to fight Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik in a bout scheduled to take place on October 3, 2009, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The bout was postponed when it was discovered Pavlik had a staph infection in his knuckle and had been rescheduled for December 5. However, the bout was called off for a second time six weeks prior to the fight because Pavlik's infection had not completely healed.

Sergio Martínez

On December 5, 2009, Paul Williams fought Sergio Martínez in a war of a twelve-round main event. In the first round Martinez was knocked down due to bad balance and a grazing left hand that landed just below the ear. In the final seconds of the 1st round though Martinez scored a knockdown of his own over Williams. The next two rounds were heavily in Martinez's favor as he hit Williams with barrages of counter punches. After Martinez was seemingly won the first 3 rounds, rounds 4-7 showed Williams coming back effectively landing hard lefts to the head of Martinez. In rounds 8-10 Martinez again confused Williams with using different varieties of punches, including straight lead lefts to the body followed by right hooks to the head and straight lefts to the face. The final 2 rounds showed much fatigue in Martinez and Williams but both warriors fought through to the end, although Williams seemed to win both of the last 2 rounds by being the far more active boxer (while the punching exchanges were very closely contested during those final 2 rounds as well), which would ultimately prove to be the difference and as a result of having far superior activity during those final 2 rounds, Williams won a close majority decision over Martinez. The judges scored the fight 114–114, 115–113 for Williams and 119–110 for Williams, thus making Williams emerge as the majority decision winner.

Kermit Cintron

After his close win over Sergio Martínez, Paul Williams moved on to face Puerto Rican prospect Kermit Cintrón. The two met on May 8, 2010, Live on Saturday Night HBO Boxing. In the fourth round, Kermit Cintron fell out of the ring unintentionally and was not allowed to continue fighting due to hitting the arena floor. Williams was ahead on two of the three judges' scorecards at the time of the stoppage and was declared the winner by split technical decision. Cintron, who believed he should have been ahead on the scorecards, filed a complaint to have the ruling changed to a no-contest, claiming he was not given the five-minute recovery time allowed under California rules.

Williams vs Martinez II

Williams before the Martínez fight in November 2010

A highly anticipated rematch with Sergio Martinez eventually materialized at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey on November 20, 2010. Upon the Williams camp's insistence, the fight was contested at the catchweight limit of 158 pounds instead of the middleweight limit of 160, with Martinez's WBC Middleweight title on the line. The fight was billed as a potential "fight-of-the-year," however the fight ended abruptly and dramatically when Sergio Martínez delivered a knockout blow with 2:02 left in the 2nd round. The punch was a short left cross that caught Williams right on the chin as he attempted to deliver a left-hand of his own. Williams' right hand was at his waist when the punch landed, rendering Paul Williams unconscious upon contact.

Erislandy Lara

On July 9, 2011, Paul Williams fought in a light middleweight contest in Atlantic City against former Cuban amateur sensation Erislandy Lara. Throughout the fight, Lara repeatedly hit Williams with hard left hands and appeared to have won the fight convincingly in the eyes of the HBO crew and those sitting at ringside. However, the judges awarded Williams with a narrow majority decision, a highly controversial verdict that ultimately led to the suspension of the three judges by the New Jersey Athletic Control Board.

Motorcycle accident and paralysis

On May 27, 2012, Williams was severely injured when he crashed his motorcycle in Georgia. He swerved to avoid hitting a car while traveling at about 75 mph on the motorcycle and was launched sixty feet. Witnesses say he landed on his head and his body "folded like a suitcase." The accident left him with part of his spinal cord severely bruised, paralyzing him from the waist down. Since it was bruised and not severed, it gives him a chance to regain sensation. The doctors told Williams the swelling could go down in a year or two, potentially giving him a chance of walking again. The accident came as Williams was preparing for his PPV main event against Canelo Álvarez on September 15. "I'm just chilling in a wheelchair because I got tired of walking," Williams said in an interview with Jim Gray on Showtime Championship Boxing on the day he was supposed to fight. "Whether I am walking or not walking, my game ain't over until the Lord takes my life."

Professional boxing record

43 fights 41 wins 2 losses
By knockout 27 1
By decision 13 1
By disqualification 1 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
43 Win 41–2 Nobuhiro Ishida UD 12 Feb 18, 2012 American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
42 Win 40–2 Erislandy Lara MD 12 Jul 9, 2011 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
41 Loss 39–2 Sergio Martínez KO 2 (12), 1:10 Nov 20, 2010 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For WBC and The Ring middleweight titles
40 Win 39–1 Kermit Cintrón TD 4 (12), 3:00 May 8, 2010 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S. Split TD: Cintrón unable to continue after falling out of the ring
39 Win 38–1 Sergio Martínez MD 12 Dec 5, 2009 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
38 Win 37–1 Winky Wright UD 12 Apr 11, 2009 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
37 Win 36–1 Verno Phillips TKO 8 (12), 3:00 Nov 29, 2008 Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California, U.S. Won WBO interim junior middleweight title
36 Win 35–1 Andy Kolle TKO 1 (10), 1:37 Sep 25, 2008 Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, U.S.
35 Win 34–1 Carlos Quintana TKO 1 (12), 2:15 Jun 7, 2008 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. Won WBO welterweight title
34 Loss 33–1 Carlos Quintana UD 12 Feb 9, 2008 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. Lost WBO welterweight title
33 Win 33–0 Antonio Margarito UD 12 Jul 14, 2007 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S. Won WBO welterweight title
32 Win 32–0 Santos Pakau TKO 6 (10), 2:16 Nov 4, 2006 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
31 Win 31–0 Sharmba Mitchell KO 4 (12), 2:57 Aug 19, 2006 Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC–USNBC and WBO–NABO welterweight titles
30 Win 30–0 Walter Matthysse TKO 10 (12), 1:56 May 27, 2006 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S. Won vacant WBO–NABO welterweight title
29 Win 29–0 Sergio Rios KO 2 (10), 2:24 Apr 12, 2006 Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, U.S. Won WBC–USNBC welterweight title
28 Win 28–0 Alfonso Sanchez KO 5 (10), 1:12 Dec 2, 2005 Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, U.S.
27 Win 27–0 Marteze Logan UD 8 Sep 30, 2005 Cache Creek Casino Resort, Brooks, California, U.S.
26 Win 26–0 Terrance Cauthen UD 10 Apr 22, 2005 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
25 Win 25–0 Sammy Sparkman TKO 4 (8) Nov 11, 2004 Hilton, Washington, D.C., U.S.
24 Win 24–0 Javier Hector Valadez TKO 1 (10), 1:08 Sep 23, 2004 HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 Luis Hernandez UD 10 May 7, 2004 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
22 Win 22–0 Rodolfo Gomez TKO 4 (10), 2:43 Feb 6, 2004 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
21 Win 21–0 Arturo Rodriguez KO 1 (8) Nov 7, 2003 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 Benjie Marquez DQ 3 (6) Aug 26, 2003 Sandia Casino, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. Marquez disqualified for hitting after the bell
19 Win 19–0 Earl Jackson TKO 2 (6), 2:52 Jan 3, 2003 Thunderbird Wild West Casino, Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Joshua Onyango UD 6 Oct 18, 2002 HSBC Arena, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Gary Grant TKO 2 (6) Jul 27, 2002 Jarrell's Boxing Gym, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Laatekwei Hammond UD 6 Apr 5, 2002 Alumni Arena, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Agustin Silva UD 4 Jan 4, 2002 American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Mahan Washington TKO 3 (6), 1:44 Dec 7, 2001 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Willie McDonald TKO 1 (6) Sep 29, 2001 Jarrell's Boxing Gym, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Robert Muhammad TKO 5 Aug 25, 2001 Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Rhon Roberts TKO 4 Jul 3, 2001 Six Flags Over Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Miguel Aquila TKO 3 Mar 31, 2001 Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Henry Hawkins TKO 1 Jan 27, 2001 Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Miguel Aquila TKO 2 Dec 14, 2000 Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Rohan Nanton TKO 1 Dec 9, 2000 Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Eleser Ortega TKO 1 Oct 28, 2000 Jarrell's Boxing Gym, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 James Young TKO 3 Oct 19, 2000 Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Adrian McNeil KO 1 Sep 30, 2000 Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Richard Burns KO 1 (4), 1:56 Aug 18, 2000 Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, Ocala, Florida, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Matt Hill TKO 1 Aug 1, 2000 Washington, D.C., U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Jeremy Mickelson PTS 4 Jul 21, 2000 Coliseum Complex, Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.

References

  1. ^ Showtime Championship Boxing tale of the tape prior to the Nobuhiro Ishida fight.
  2. ^ Frauenheim, Norm (June 13, 2012). "Paul Williams' future uncertain". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  3. ^ Satterfield, Lem (June 13, 2012). "Manager: Williams in good spirits, adds 'We like where we are'". The Ring. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  4. Paul Williams Blows Away Carlos Quintana in One-Round BoxingScene.com URL accessed 9 June 2008.
  5. "SecondsOut Boxing News - USA Boxing News - Williams Batters Phillips/ Arreola De-rails 'Freight Train'". Secondsout.com. 2008-11-30. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  6. "Paul Williams-Winky Wright Agreement Reached For April - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 2009-01-04. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  7. Rafael, Dan. "Dan Rafael Blog - ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  8. "Infection on finger of Kelly Pavlik's left hand forces title fight vs. Paul Williams to be called off - ESPN". ESPN. 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  9. Sandoval, Luis (May 8, 2010). "Paul Williams Decisions Kermit Cintron, A Wild Ending". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved May 9, 2010.
  10. "Cintron Furious: They Reverse It or I'm Done With Boxing - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  11. "Martinez rises to pound-for-pound elite after KO of Williams". CNN. 2010-11-21. Archived from the original on December 14, 2011.
  12. "Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara Decision Update: New Jersey Commission To Speak To Judges". Bad Left Hook. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  13. "Paul Williams Tops Erislandy Lara In One Of The Worst Decisions You'll Ever See". Queensberry Rules. 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  15. "Paul Williams-Erislandy Lara judges suspended by New Jersey State Athletic Control Board - ESPN". Espn.go.com. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  16. Iole, Kevin (2011-07-13). "New Jersey suspends Williams-Lara judges - Yahoo Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  17. Rafael, Dan (2012-05-23). "Saul Alvarez to face Paul Williams". ESPN. Retrieved 2012-05-29.
  18. Frauenheim, Norm (September 14, 2012). "Paul Williams: "I think I can come back"". The Ring. Retrieved September 19, 2012.

Video references

  1. HBO Boxing: Paul Williams's Greatest Hits (HBO) (YouTube video: Fights against Walter Matthysse, Sharmba Mitchell, Santos Pakau, Antonio Margarito, Carlos Quintana (first meeting), Verno Phillips, Winky Wright, Sergio Martínez (first meeting) and Kermit Cintrón). HBO Sports. June 30, 2011. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  2. ^ Showtime Boxing: Paul Williams Interview with Jim Gray - SHOWTIME (YouTube video). Showtime Sports. September 21, 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved September 24, 2012.

External links

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
New title WBC–USNBC welterweight champion
April 12, 2006 – November 2006
Vacated 		VacantTitle next held byJoaquin Zamora
VacantTitle last held byMark Suárez WBO–NABO welterweight champion
May 27, 2006 – November 2006
Vacated 		VacantTitle next held byShamone Alvarez
World boxing titles
Preceded byAntonio Margarito WBO welterweight champion
July 14, 2007 – February 9, 2008 		Succeeded byCarlos Quintana
Preceded byCarlos Quintana WBO welterweight champion
June 7, 2008 – November 12, 2008
Vacated 		VacantTitle next held byMiguel Cotto
New title WBO junior middleweight champion
Interim title
November 29, 2008 – November 7, 2009
Vacated 		VacantTitle next held byAlfredo Angulo
Categories: