Paul Williams back July 9

[MMASUX]

Paul Williams will be facing Nobuhiro Ishida, this is the guy who KO'd James Kirkland. He's going back to jr. middleweight, which i think is a good move. The division is pretty wide open, maybe he can get a fight with Cotto, or Canelo later on. Although he says he wants Martinez for a third time after this fight.

Paul Williams, Nobuhiro Ishida agree to July fight at 155 - ESPN

[skel1983]

Bit poor for a main event this to be honest.

[Gandalf]

Williams does need a tune up, so I have no issues with this match up. I am glad he is back, it has been a long time. Hopefully we see a few refinements.

[MMASUX]

Williams does need a tune up, so I have no issues with this match up. I am glad he is back, it has been a long time. Hopefully we see a few refinements.

I agree he does need a tune up, it will have been 9 months once this fight happens. i think he can be a force at 154 if thats were he plans to stay.

[marbleheadmaui]

Williams does need a tune up, so I have no issues with this match up. I am glad he is back, it has been a long time. Hopefully we see a few refinements.

Right on. I may not like HBO's choice, but I like Williams. You raised the right issue. Will he have learned and improved or is he who he is?

As a buddy of mine said about how Williams should fight "Stand tall and jab, jab, jab tall man!"

[rjj tszyu]

I'm glad Williams is back. I hope he gets a good KO victory here. He seems like one of the good guys of the sport and after such a stunning KO defeat he needs the tune up to shake rust and to get some confidence back. I wouldn't write him off beating Martinez in a rubber match as long as he looks at his mistakes carefully. As for Cotto and Alvarez, providing the loss to Martinez hasn't left too much damage I think he beats both.

[Spicoli]

I recall Williams fighting his height and range vs Margarito....other then that we have been waiting forever it seems. His defense is his offense and he falls all over his own height, bends in and loops shots. I dont think he ever beats Martinez and should avoid him at all costs.

[Mars_ax]

Paul Williams will be facing Nobuhiro Ishida, this is the guy who KO'd James Kirkland. He's going back to jr. middleweight, which i think is a good move. The division is pretty wide open, maybe he can get a fight with Cotto, or Canelo later on. Although he says he wants Martinez for a third time after this fight.

Paul Williams, Nobuhiro Ishida agree to July fight at 155 - ESPN

Williams should take care of business against Ishida, the Kirkland fight was a fluke, I do think Williams-Ishida, will be entertaining however, while it lasts.

As for Williams wanting a 3rd fight with Martinez, good luck with that, Martinez has bigger fish to fry. Fights with Canelo or Cotto seem possible.

[Spicoli]

Call me bat shit crazy...I think Ishida can give Williams all sorts of problems. For a guy coming off a clean cut 1st round ko loss to see a very experienced & peaking, confident Ishida as anything less then a serious threat could come back to bite him on the ass big time. Looking forward to this one.