Having watched the Showtime Championship Boxing telecast of WBO Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito’s hard-fought victory over Joshua Clottey Saturday night, Paul “The Punisher” Williams -- Margarito’s immediate WBO mandatory challenger -- declared that he vows to meet Margarito in the middle of the ring in his next fight. 

 

No ducking accusations from either camp. Just two of the top welterweights ready to fight to the finish.  Just what boxing fans want.

 

Margarito (34-4, 24 KOs), whom the undefeated Williams (32-0, 24 KOs) designated as the top target on his way to the welterweight title, set up the showdown with Williams by overcoming Clottey’s fast start and dominating the last eight rounds of the fight in route to a unanimous decision in the seventh defense of his title.

 

The Tijuana native sounded less than anxious, but willing to say his ‘I do’s’ by agreeing to step into the ring with the hard-hitting Williams in a post-fight interview with Showtime’s Jim Gray.

 

“If he’s (Williams) the number one ranked contender,” Margarito said through interpreter Felix DeJesus, “then I have to fight him next,” sounding strikingly resolved to being involved in a shot-gun match-up.

 

“I don’t need him to tell me I’m next,” Williams, whose tireless pursuit of a shot at Margarito will be finally realized, stated.  “I couldn’t be any happier being the WBO mandatory and I am in the gym getting ready to put my punishment on him.”

 

“He likes to fight and everyone knows that I’m all action in the ring,” stated Williams, reflecting on their styles.  “All I know is Mr. (manager/trainer George) Peterson and I will bring the title belt to South Carolina in a very exciting slugfest.” 

 

Peterson also watched the Margarito-Clottey fight and came away as convinced as ever that his protégé has the goods to take away Margarito’s title.

 

“That’s a fight that Paul wants and he has been wanting for the longest time,” Peterson said.  “Paul says ‘Look, I want to be the best.  Some say Margarito’s the best welterweight out there, so I want to beat him.  I want to punish him.’”

 

Dan Goossen, promoter of Williams, is excited about not only his fighter’s opportunity to win his first world title, but what Williams as a World champion will mean to boxing.

 

"Bottom line:  Paul is ready to take the title from Margarito,” Goossen stated.  “I can't wait to present a World champion in Williams that is all-action, all the time, to our great boxing fans.  Paul Williams will be a marquee star that will draw many fans, old and new alike, to our sport for many years to come."

 

“Boxing fans know that when I come in that ring I give 110 percent with my fists blazing,” said Williams, who draws comparisons to Thomas “Hitman” Hearns and who has knocked out his last five opponents.  “I’m going to dish out the punishment to Margarito for sure and do it in my non-stop punching fashion.”  

 

Showtime commentator Al Bernstein also feels that Margarito-Williams fight could end up as a toe-to-toe brawl, with the upper hand going to Williams.

 

"Margarito, always the puncher,” said Bernstein, “showed some defensive and technical deficiencies in the fight, something that does not bode well for him in his next fight (Williams).”

 

Truly a match for all fans to enjoy.