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In the biggest question to be asked in 25 year old Paul Williams’ career, “The Punisher” takes on 18 year veteran Sharmba Mitchell this Saturday on a HBO telecast at the Reno Events Center in Nevada. Williams, from Augusta, GA is undefeated in 30 professional bouts and came through his toughest test last time out in May against hardened Argentinean Walter Dario Matthysse in 10 rounds.
Sharmba Mitchell is 10 years Williams’ senior and is a World Championship veteran, winning his first 140 pound title back in 1998 against Khalid Rahilou. After an unfortunate injury loss to Kostya Tszyu in 2001, Sharmba battled his way into title contention with a dominant 12 round decision win over Ben Tackie in 2003.
Universally recognised as number two in the 140 lb division, the “Little Big Man” finally got his chance at redemption against the injury prone Tszyu in November 2004 but was blown away in three by the revitalised champion.
Since then, Mitchell has fought three times, winning twice and losing once. In that one defeat, he was outgunned and outclassed by the terrific Floyd Mayweather Junior in six last November.
For me, this bout is more about the size difference rather than the argument that Mitchell is on the slide. Williams is naturally the bigger man, having started his career at middleweight while Mitchell has been as low as 134 pounds. In addition to this, Williams is six inches the taller man.
For me, this is Williams all the way. Not only does “The Punisher” have the size advantage, but he throws a high volume of punches.
I can see Mitchell sticking in there for as long as he can but Williams will dominate, maybe even scoring a couple of knockdowns on the way to a seventh round stoppage win.
