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Three-time World Champion Paul “The Punisher” Williams will face former Welterweight World Champion and knockout artist Kermit “The Killer” Cintron on Saturday, May 8 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.
The two fighters will meet above Williams natural 147 pounds and subsequently being dubbed “The Weight is Over,” in a bout televised by HBO at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) and presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions in association with Di Bella Entertainment.
The two fighters participated in a conference call to discuss the upcoming 12-round fight and the significance it means to the welterweight division.
Paul Williams:
“Kermit’s a big puncher and can box too. I’ve shown that I’m a big puncher and I’m a boxer too.”
What’s it like to fight in different weight classes?
“To me it’s kind of fun. People can’t really categorize me. It’s hard because you can’t get anybody to fight you. It takes discipline because once you finally pick a weight you’ve got to get up or down in weight. I kind of like it.
“It [switching weight classes] isn’t killing us so far. Everything’s good. So if it’s not broke don’t fix it. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I don’t care what people think about me as a fighter. I just have to go out and do my thing.
“I just have to go out and execute my game plan and my strategy. Because you could be looking for one thing then get another thing.”
What did you think of Saturday’s Mayweather-Mosley fight?
“You know the first two rounds Mosely had him. But after that Mosley stopped fighting. He just started fighting a survival fight. If Mosley could have just kept up that pressure he could have had him. But after that he just stopped. But then Mayweather did what Mayweather does best. Mosley stopped fighting so he started fighting and that was the story.”
Kermit Cintron:
What is it going to take for other top fighters to decide to fight you?
“I think it’s going to take the media and the networks. You all have the pens and the microphones. When you see guys fight and you’re talking about fights they should take you never mention my name. I think the media and the networks will have to start pushing those guys to fight the biggest and best fights and to fight someone who’s going to put up a fight.”
What is your most comfortable weight?
“All of them are comfortable for me. The weight doesn’t matter to me. I’m more comfortable with getting a fight and then working on what we’ve got to work on.
“Paul Williams and I are not here for the money. We’re trying to fight the best and be the best. I believe Paul Williams is the best and he believes I’m the best and that’s why we’re fighting. A lot of fighters are avoiding us but my attitude is to fight the best. To be the best you have to fight the best. That’s why I’m here: To fight the best and win. And be closer to the bigger fights.”
Would you submit to Mayweather’s drug-testing demands?
“To me it doesn’t matter. Take the test or don’t take the test. It doesn’t matter.”
It’s been a year since you beat Angulo? What do you think of all the attention Angulo gets?
“It is what it is. I’m not going to cry about it. I know I beat his ass and I just move forward in my career. I’m just looking forward to May 8 and putting on a good show.”
