Who's Next For Paul Williams?

[Gandalf]

I've heard it mentioned about Paul Williams speech, but he sounds just the same as ever to me. He's always had that drawl interspersed with a thousand 'Ya know wham saying's.

I'm still a big fan of Williams, but he steadfast refuses to adapt his style to any particular opponent. It's that lack of versatility that has started to let him down. Calzaghe didn't just throw 90 punches a round in every fight and hope for the best. He could slip punches, lead with the jab, take it inside, take it outside. Williams just wants to roll in and wing it and hope that you can't keep up.

It works for the most part, but it's a shame he isn't willing to show new things.

In terms of opponents. I don't really know. Everyone else does seem to be busy. How about Pavlik after a Pavlik warm up. That would be fun and would allow both to answer questions.

Seen Williams alot and defo thought he sounded more punchy when I watched his fight yesterday, like some words were really slurred. Although his lip was swollen on one side which may not have helped. He outworked and outlanded Ishida every round but he ate WAY too many shots I thought. If I were him I would absolutyely stay at 154 and even look at going 147 again, at 160 he would get stopped again I'd say.

Chavez, Alvarez and Martinez all stop him IMO. Love watching the war unfold with him though, its a beautiful thing. I'd say he'd be a good match-up with Delvin Rodriguez at LM or maybe Angulo......

He won every round, but had to work for it. I don't particularly rate Ishida, but it is a fair confidence booster for Williams. He is still eating punches for breakfast though and considering the Martinez knockout was Pac/Hatton-esque it isn't easy viewing. In the back of your mind you wonder why he is so kamikaze. Fascinating viewing, but it could always happen again. With a style like that you just hope for 3 or 4 more good fights and then maybe calling it a day.

[killersheep]

It's crazy how low of a percentage of his punches land and yet still seems to always connect more than his opponents. I would like to see him rematch Lara for his next fight.

[Rantcatrat]

I believe it's either one or two more confidence-boosting fights against mid-level opponents, like Ishida, or throw it all in on a big-name risky fight.

[Spicoli]

Think that's about right. I'm hard pressed to see him doing anything major but gear up for facing bigger name in opponent role. He did well vs Ishida in terms of consistancy, stamina but was pretty much same ol' same ol'. Not fighting his height as usual. Took far to many shots and was jarred good midway. I was waiting and waiting for Ishida to let the hand go much more and shoot down the middle. He had an odd look in the corner, really stock still and almost robotic expression and the speech is def a little 1 AM Bourban street. I think they need to match him carefully. Lara rematch would be logical. Maybe a bouncing back Angulo for sheer chaos of it and network.

[shza]

Lara rematch would be the just course but there's no way it happens because Williams would definitely lose. If they're going to put him in a fight he's not likely to win, you better believe it will be a bigger name than Lara (unfortunately).

In other words, I agree with Rantcatrat that next up is either (a) a confidence-building fight or (b) a risky big-money fight. Lara is neither.

I would like to see Williams/Angulo or Williams/Kirkland. Angulo needs to get back in the ring with a couple of confidence builders himself before that can happen though. He may well be permanently damaged goods after the Kirkland fight.

I think Kirkland KOs Williams brutally.

[Manos de Piedra]

Since the big names seem to be busy, I think K 9, Martirosyan, Angulo, Rodriguez and a Lara rematch wouldn't be bad fights.

[Rantcatrat]

Since the big names seem to be busy, I think K 9, Martirosyan, Angulo, Rodriguez and a Lara rematch wouldn't be bad fights.

I'm not sure any of those you mention would be worth the risk to Williams' team. A loss right now would set him back immeasurably, perhaps making it impossible for him to land another big fight. Losing to Martinez is one thing. Losing, but winning on the cards, against Lara was the last straw unless he can earn a big win over a big name. Paul is 100% fighting for money these days. He wouldn't be a bad opponent for Canelo. I like Canelo in the fight but it's a step up in competition, and I wouldn't completely count Tall out in it either if he were able to overwhelm Canelo early. If it is not Canelo or someone like that, they'll take a stay busy fight.

[shza]

Since the big names seem to be busy, I think K 9, Martirosyan, Angulo, Rodriguez and a Lara rematch wouldn't be bad fights.

I'm not sure any of those you mention would be worth the risk to Williams' team. A loss right now would set him back immeasurably, perhaps making it impossible for him to land another big fight. Losing to Martinez is one thing. Losing, but winning on the cards, against Lara was the last straw unless he can earn a big win over a big name. Paul is 100% fighting for money these days. He wouldn't be a bad opponent for Canelo. I like Canelo in the fight but it's a step up in competition, and I wouldn't completely count Tall out in it either if he were able to overwhelm Canelo early. If it is not Canelo or someone like that, they'll take a stay busy fight.

I agree with this. But if Cotto aquits himself reasonably well against Floyd, then I wouldn't be surprised if we see Canelo matched with him next (bigger fight than P-Will). If Cotto performs poorly, maybe we'd see Cotto/P-Will.

(I also think there's a 50% chance of Canelo being Mayweather's next opponent.)

[Manos de Piedra]

Since the big names seem to be busy, I think K 9, Martirosyan, Angulo, Rodriguez and a Lara rematch wouldn't be bad fights.

I'm not sure any of those you mention would be worth the risk to Williams' team. A loss right now would set him back immeasurably, perhaps making it impossible for him to land another big fight. Losing to Martinez is one thing. Losing, but winning on the cards, against Lara was the last straw unless he can earn a big win over a big name. Paul is 100% fighting for money these days. He wouldn't be a bad opponent for Canelo. I like Canelo in the fight but it's a step up in competition, and I wouldn't completely count Tall out in it either if he were able to overwhelm Canelo early. If it is not Canelo or someone like that, they'll take a stay busy fight.

Fair enough.