Boxing News Boxing News
WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez won his hotly anticipated rematch with Paul Williams in dominant fashion last night at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
The first time these two met, both were on the canvas in the initial frame before continuing a 12 round slugfest that saw former WBO welter kingpin Williams emerge the victor via 12 round majority decision.
This time Martinez stamped his authority from the start of this all southpaw clash, going after his lanky adversary with usual vigor before sparking out Williams with a full blooded counter left at 1:10 of the second.
Argentine native Martinez retains his WBC title for the first time and improves to 46-2-2 (25). Williams, now 39-2 (27), sees a six bout win streak finished off.
Given the sudden nature of the finish, there could be a third fight between Martinez and Williams but the WBC champion could also take part in any number of high profile contests given his ability to still make the light middle weight limit.
39 year old former heavyweight world title challenger Tony Thompson, 35-2 (23), banged out his fourth stoppage victory in a row, belting 43 year old Paul Marinaccio, 24-6-3 (11), out of the bout in the fourth stanza on the undercard.
NABF middleweight champ Fernando Guerrero, 20-0 (16), halted seasoned 37 year old vet Saul Duran, 37-18-2 (30), also in the fourth, in a non-title clash.
Ex-WBO light heavyweight and WBC cruiserweight champion Zsolt Erdei, 32-0 (17), was back in action after a year out of the ring, outpointing 39 year old Kenyan campaigner Samson Onyango, 20-7 (13), over eight rounds at light heavy.
It was the first time Erdei has appeared in America since 2002.
