Boxing In America: Williams Edges Martinez In Atlantic City Thriller

One of the best fights of the year on American soil took place last night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ as Paul Williams eeked out a majority decision over Sergio Martinez at middleweight.

The fur started to fly in the very first round as each man scored a knockdown in this battle of southpaws. The quicker Martinez won the early rounds behind fast-handed counterpunches but the unrelenting pressure of the taller Williams carried the middle frames.

The later rounds saw Martinez land the more effective shots but Williams was busier as they went into the 12th and final frame, which erupted into a ferocious toe to toe slugfest.

By the time the dust has settled in Boardwalk Hall, Williams was declared the victor by majority decision via scores of 114-114, 115-113 and a very wide 119-110.

Given the competitive nature of the bout and the outcome, a rematch is likely as Williams moves to 38-1 (27) and Martinez now stands at 44-2-2 (24).

The support bout featured ex-world heavyweight title challenger Chris Arreola, 28-1 (25), stopping Brian Minto, 34-3 (21), in the fourth and former WBO welterweight kingpin Carlos Quintana, 27-2 (21), finished off seasoned veteran Jessie Feliciano, 15-8-3 (9), in the third.