Boxing News Boxing News
On Saturday night, December 5, three-time World Champion Paul Williams will face WBC Super Middleweight Champion Sergio Martinez in a scheduled 12-round middleweight bout in the main event at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
In the 10-round co-featured bout, Cristobal Arreola will see his first action since a courageous loss at the hands of WBC heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko when he battles bruiser Brian Minto.
Williams (37-1, 27 KO), has defeated Antonio Margarito for a welterweight title, Verno Phillips for a super welter belt and former two-time world champion Winky Wright at middleweight.
The three-time world champion had planned to battle WBC/WBO middleweight world champion Kelly Pavlik next, but unfortunately for Williams, twice those bouts were cancelled when Pavlik pulled out.
Enter WBC Super Welterweight Champion Sergio Martinez, who recently predicted he would knock “The Punisher” out, but Williams has other plans. “I salute his confidence, but unfortunately for Sergio Martinez, he is going to have to absorb the punishment I planned for Pavlik.”
Martinez (44-1-2, 24 KO), has only lost to Antonio Margarito almost ten years ago. He has since 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.
In his most recent bout against former world champion Kermit Cintron, Martinez retained the title in a majority draw when ringside observers thought at one point Cintron was knocked down and counted out only to be able to continue in a mystifying turn of events.
“This is the challenge I’ve been struggling to get. I know I can beat Williams and believe me, I will not only beat him, I will knock him out and show him who the Real Champion is.”
Cristobal Arreola (27-1, 24 KOs) returns from a brave September 26 KO loss to WBC Champion Vitali Klitschko but “The Nightmare” vows to return and will begin the climb back to the top on December 5 against the very dangerous Brian Minto.
“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring against Brian Minto on Dec 5th,” said Arreola. I’m excited about fighting in Atlantic City and back on HBO again. I know Minto will come to fight – he has an all action style, but I will be ready and am looking to put on an explosive performance. I’m looking to end 2009 on a positive note and looking to challenge for a title again in 2010, but this time not letting it slip away!”
Minto (32-4, 21 KOs) from Butler, PA holds wins over Vinny Maddalone and Axel Schultz and has reeled off seven consecutive victories.
“Actually, I was rooting for Arreola in his title fight with Klitschko,” said Minto. “He is extremely dangerous, and like myself, he fights with a great deal of determination, heart and skill. Ultimately, I feel that boxing fans and HBO are in for a very exciting and memorable heavyweight fight on Dec. 5th.”
“This is a very dangerous fight for Arreola so quickly after his bruising challenge against Klitschko. But on the other hand, he’s never backed away from a challenge and Minto will certainly give him one. A win puts Arreola right back into the top echelon of heavyweights and a loss, well we’ll just have to see,” stated Arreola’s promoter Dan Goossen.
Goossen Tutor Promotions and Caesars Atlantic City in association with DiBella Entertainment are presenting this evening of boxing and Williams vs. Martinez and Arreola vs. Minto will be broadcast on HBO’s World Championship Boxing beginning at 9:30 PM ET/6:30 PM PT.
Tickets, priced at $300, $200, $100 and $50, can be purchased at the Boardwalk Hall box office, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at ticketmast.com.
