April 14, 2009

"It’s Spring Again. Everybody knows it’s spring again."

 

But I bet you Biz Markie didn’t know that Easter falls on the first Sunday that follows the first full moon after Equinox. Church, family, food and the Masters was the ingredients of a great Easter Sunday. Just the threat of Tiger and Phil prowling around the green jacket glued butts to seats. Unfortunately, the outcome wasn't what our eyes wanted to see.

 

Well at least what most of us wanted to see. I actually was focused on the results of the Paul Williams vs. Winky Wright fight that aired on HBO Saturday, April 11 and currently was holding my DVR hostage. Those two and a half hours of high definition boxing gobbled up chunks of my DVR’s memory.

 

Speaking of memory, do you remember my article "Boxing Needs Smelling Salt"? The one when I challenged the boxing world to follow a March Madness formula to gain interest in the sport AND to crown the undisputed welterweight champion. Well if you review that article, I predicted Paul Williams and his southpaw style to be one of the remaining four welterweights (147lbs) in the tournament. Boy was I wrong! Not only might he be one of the top 2, but he actually is better suited as a middleweight (160 lbs).

 

So come join me as I push the following buttons and commands on my DVR:

1.) DVR LIST

2.) PLAY FROM BEGINNING

3.) DOUBLE ARROW >> FAST FORWARD(>>FF through Chris Arreola fight.  Promising Heavyweight from L.A. Good fight, Larry Merchant LOVES him!)

4.) PLAY

 

Introductions:

Paul Williams approached the ring, rapping along with a Plies song. Winky Wright came out to Jay Z’s "You Belong to the City". Plies’ song is a 2009 song. Jay Z’s was from 1997. That is the story in itself. Winky Wright came out looking old. His 21 month absence from the sport was apparent.

Regardless, this Southpaw vs. Southpaw match up was eagerly anticipated on Easter eve. Well at least in the boxing world. <sigh>

 

Rounds 1

"He can’t block everything Paul!" a family member screamed from the front row. 

If you aren't a huge boxing fan, please be advised that Winky Wright is known for his superior defensive skills. Early in the first round it looked as if this might be another Winky Stinky. In other words, an ugly fight. After seeing Paul Williams’ fist fly through the air 104 times, this actually is the makings of a Paul Mauling.

 

Round 2-4

Is it just me or does the 6'1" Paul Williams remind you of Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson. Wait, I know what you are thinking. Not his mouth and attitude, but more so the build and athleticism. They are basically the same height, and if Paul played football he would beef up to 195 and vice versa for Chad. 

"Seis Uno" displayed a variety of punching skills in these rounds. Overhand lefts, right hooks, left uppercuts and all coming from different angles. Paul "South Paul" Williams was aiming his jabs and combos towards the cut on Winky’s right eye. Yes, Winky was already cut! Williams is deceptively fast and his long punches confused Winky’s defensive timing. 

By the 4^th round Winky’s eye brow was looking like he was wearing a red visor. Williams’ right hook rivals Oscar De La Hoya’s left hook in his prime. Boxers who have strong "weak" hands usually invite success to their careers.

 

Round 5

Is that Shane Mosley sitting next to Oscar De La Hoya who is sitting next to Ricky Hatton? Really? Dang, Floyd Mayweather Jr might as well be there too. I challenge anyone to present a picture of Hagler, Hearns and Leonard sitting next to each other at a fight. This would have never happened in 1985! 

That is another reason why boxing isn't as popular. Back in the Golden Age of welter and middleweights, we actually believed the boxers despised each other. Now they fight and hug and tell each other stuff like:

"You are still my idol" or "You are a great fighter, good luck."

 

WHAT! Talk about his momma and bring the drama.

Meanwhile, Winky has his best round. After this round, Williams’ corner says, "Don’t bang with him, this is a easy fight that you are making hard. He is a old man with no legs."

 

Round 6-8

Okay, I am convinced now. Paul Williams needs to be the 3^rd wide receiver for my Chicago Bears. I love his athleticism and length. What do you think he can run the 40 yard dash in? 4.52? 4.48? I wouldn't be surprised if I read in the future he can run a 4.41. 

These rounds seem fun to Paul Williams. His approach is so playful. Doesn't he remind you of your Uncle shadow boxing with you. Over exaggerated head movement. Long punches. Focused combinations.

"Ah aagh.... tah Tah TAH!"

Can’t you hear your Uncle making these noises while he pops you in your chest?

At this point of the fight, I think Winky Wright is about to cry Uncle! You know it is bad when Winky's son screams from the audience,  "Punch....Punch....Punch!" 

 

Rounds 9-12

Winky Wright is officially old. This is only the 3rd time Williams has fought bast the 10^th round but his stamina never decreases. Paul Williams fist sounded like he was transmitting Morse Code on Winky’s face. Okay, it wasn't that rapid, but Winky got the message.

In the 10^th round, 2:45, Paul threw one of the illest left uppercuts I have seen. Peep the youtube starting at the 2:52 mark. Williams throws the quickest uppercut that you might have missed, but check out Winky’s head bob. At that time, Winky wanted to quit.  During that round, Paul Williams threw the most punches he threw the whole whole night.

 

Unanimous Decision

119 - 109 120 - 118 119 -109 = DOMINANCE

 

Williams threw 1086 punches to Wright’s 511. Williams threw 667 power punches to Wrights 271. Their hit rates were identical. It is obvious who the aggressor was.

The question is, can Paul "The Punisher" Williams fight more beefier middleweights like Kelly Pavlik or Arthur Abraham? Looking at Winky Wright’s face suggests that he can deliver the punches, but can he handle Pavlik "The Ghost" and his busy style. Or the body blows of King Arthur?  I love the questions that Boxing presents. So much thought. So much science. 2009 is going to be a Pugilistic Feast. Springtime is for new beginnings. Hopefully the May 2^nd Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao will resurrect my sport!

 

by the Ki-Olumnist