Press Release: On Thursday, September 25, 2008, WBO welterweight titlist Paul “The Punisher” Williams (34-1, 25 KOs) will move up to the middleweight division (160 pounds) to take on tough Andy Kolle (17-1, 12 KOs), in a non-title ten-round bout at the Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, California.  The fight will air live on VERUS at 9 P.M. ET. In the scheduled twelve-round co-feature, Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola (24-0, 21 KOs) will take the next step toward his goal of becoming the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent in over 100-years of prizefighting by squaring off against Israel Carlos “King Kong” Garcia (19-1, 11 KOs) on the Goossen Tutor Promotions event.

Williams, who is moving up in weight for this fight prior to moving back down for a November defense of his 147-pound belt, providing he has a victory in September, declared that this bout at middleweight reflects his earlier commitment that he is willing to fight anyone up to 168 pounds while still intent on defending his welterweight championship. 

“I feel good at 158 pounds,” stated Williams. “That's pretty much my walking around weight, but I’m most comfortable at 147 pounds. If I have to, I'll move up to 154 pounds all the way to 168 pounds.  My fans deserve to see action fights and that's what I'll give them, no matter what weight class I’m fighting in. I plan to excite the crowd so it’s worth paying money to watch me. I love the support and I’ll give it back to them by entertaining them.” 

In facing Kolle at middleweight, Williams, a 6-2, Aiken, South Carolina native, will be fighting at his walking-around weight of 160 pounds for the first time since 2001.  He will also be fighting a southpaw such as he is; one who has reeled off a string of eight consecutive victories since his first and only loss in 2006.  In his last two fights, the Minnesotan scored unanimous decision wins over the tough and durable Matt Vanda and, this past June, veteran Jonathan Reid.

“I give a ton of credit to Kolle for stepping up to fight Paul, because very, very few will, although Kolle believes he’s got the advantage in natural size and power,” stated Williams’ promoter Dan Goossen.  “You would think when a fighter like Antonio Margarito has been offered $4 Million plus dollars for a unification bout with Paul he’d be screaming for the rematch, especially since Paul took his title last year. There’s just no excuse for it, even with Paul being the ‘most feared fighter in the world’ today.”

“Paul Williams is comfortable at 147 pounds because that has been his weight his entire career,” said Kolle.  He is used to being the aggressor but I won't let him bully me around.  I respect him because he is a tough fighter but now is my time to be champion.  This is my opportunity to show the world what I can do. 

“I'm a natural 160 pounds and he's going to feel that I'm a solid 160 pounds.  I don't have to build up to be at that weight. I'm going to take it to Paul Williams and everyone will see that in every round he will be in my territory.  I will win,” a confident Kolle exclaimed.

George Peterson, Williams’ trainer says, "When you talk about the greats such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Tommy Hearns they fought fighters in all different weight divisions and wouldn’t think about avoiding their biggest fights. But today they got this dodge-game going. Paul's a lot like those all-time greats, the bigger the challenge, no matter the weight, the more he wants it. The biggest gripe I’ve got though is with Margarito believing that he's the number one welterweight in the world after turning down triple the amount he’s ever made before to fight Paul. It's hard for me to understand especially since Paul already beat him."

Arreola, the local California favorite, won his title on September 21, 2007 when he stopped once beaten Thomas Hayes in three rounds.  He defended his belt in June on HBO against fellow unbeaten prospect Chazz Witherspoon knocking him to the canvas twice in the third round before the badly hurt Witherspoon was disqualified when his cornermen stepped into the ring prematurely during the count.

The Witherspoon fight also provided the boxing world with a big highlight punch, as Arreola explained afterwards to the HBO audience ‘that a fighter has a basic decision to make after getting hit in the grill (mouth), fight or pack it in.’

Garcia made his pro debut in 1998 by stopping Donald Dawson in the first round.  After suffering his first defeat in 2001, a 6-round decision to the well-respected Tarus Sykes, the 6’3” heavyweight reeled off nine straight wins to earn him this opportunity against Arreola. “At this point in my career I want to test myself against the biggest and the best,” a confident Garcia exclaimed. I’m the most rugged fighter he’s fought yet and I’m going to stand there and fight him and let it go from there.”

Charismatic and the owner of knockout power in both hands, the 27-year old Riverside, Calif. resident has earned more believers with each victory.

Most boxing experts and fans believe Arreola is knocking on the door of history.  The media have also taken notice, and combined with Arreola’s toe-to-toe, bruising, bullying style, along with his bad intentions inside the ring, the heavyweight division hasn’t looked this promising in years. 

Arreola has done what many believed was impossible just a year ago – he’s brought excitement back to the heavyweight division. 

Arreola added, “I want to keep busy, keep winning, keep entertaining the fans and leave no doubts when it’s time for me to fight for the Heavyweight World Title.  I look forward to fighting at Soboba in front of my local fans and having it televised on Versus really adds to the excitement.”   Tickets are available at Soboba box office or www.Ticketmaster.com.