Antonio Margarito vs Joshua Clottey

[Uke]

I have to say, this fight was a fight that told a lot of stories. Margarito, the man who EVERYBODY is supposed to be ducking, looked less that formidable in this one.

I've seen highlights and clips of Margarito before. His claim to fame was beating Kermit Cintron. He looked good doing it too. In this fight however, he was getting CLEARLY outboxed by Clottey. Clottey, for the first half of the fight, looked like he could do no wrong. His combinations were fast and sharp. He was landing multiple shots to the head of Margarito at will. Clottey was faster and sharper. He also was landing the bigger and cleaner shots.

Then, at one point in the fight, Clottey started backpeddling. He also began laying against the ropes. This led to him taking some rounds off.

I don't care what the commentators said, I noticed it as soon as it happened. My people and I who were watching the fight noticed immediately that something was wrong because up until that point, Clottey was not only winning the fight, he had looked impressive doing it.

Margarito, the so-called most feared man in the welterweight division, didn't look special against Clottey. Even after being injured, Clottey was still being competitive. He showed heart by standing inside from time to time and actually getting the better of Margarito in the exchanges. I'd love to see these two guys rematch with no prior injuries.

The reason this fight was so significant IMO is because Margarito was the man who was unofficially nominated as the guy who would destroy Mayweather. After seeing a guy like Clottey make a showing like he did, I can say with confidence that Mr Margarito's stock isn't what some have boasted it to be. I'm not saying that he isn't good, but he isn't the impressive destroyer that the media and Bob Arum has made him out to be.

During the telecast, it was even rumored that Paul Williams had been giving Margarito fits in sparring. I'd love to see Margarito fight Williams! That would be an entertaining fight, and my money would be on Williams. I saw how a little hand speed and some evasive footwork made Margarito frustrated and prevented him from really getting his tempo going. Paul Williams can do all those things and more.

Margarito claims that Mayweather has been ducking him even though he wasn't the recognized welterweight champion title holder. Mayweather beat that man when he fought Judah, and then fought and beat the man who beat Judah in Baldomir. But if Margarito is going to cast stones, he should take care not to live in glass houses. He's been running from Williams for some time now.

[Uke]

Paul Williams: "Margarito Will Get Punishment"


Los Angeles – Back in August, Paul “The Punisher” Williams – fresh off a four-round destruction of former two-time world champion Sharmba Mitchell – and the #1 contender in the WBO Welterweight division, called out WBO Welterweight Champion Antonio Margarito.

It fell on deaf ears.

After disposing of his most recent opponent -- New Zealander Santos Pakau, who had won 29 of his 32 pro fights – on the Floyd Mayweather-Carlos Baldomir undercard on November 4 in Las Vegas, the undefeated, hard-hitting southpaw (32-0, 24 KOs) from Aiken, South Carolina declared that he was more than ready to dish out his brand of punishment to Margarito and come away with his WBO championship belt. But this time Margarito has no choice but to listen. Williams is now the WBO mandated fight for Margarito.

Margarito (33-4, 24 KOs), a 28-year-old native of Tijuana, Mexico who has not responded to several challenges made by the 25-year old Williams, opted instead to request an optional defense from the WBO to next defend his title against Ghana native Joshua Clottey in Atlantic City, New Jersey on the undercard of a December 2 show headlined by Miguel Cotto, rather than facing Williams.

“I’ve worked very hard for this opportunity and I plan on breaking all the Punch-Stat records against him (Margarito),” Williams, who is managed and trained by George Peterson, and advised by Alan Haymon, asserted. “He is my main target for punishment and I want him and his belt real bad. Margarito says he will fight anyone in the welterweight division, yet he hasn’t proven to be so accommodating, especially with me. I just hope he doesn’t blow it against Clottey.”

Williams’ promoter, Dan Goossen, concurs that his hot prospect is ready to dethrone Margarito early next year.

“Paul Williams has gotten better and better with each and every fight,” Goossen observed. “His last few fights he has showed patience, strength, a solid chin and most importantly, poise in wearing down very resilient opponents in (Walter ) Matesse, Mitchell, and Pakau; methodically beating them down, round after round. He really is a punisher.

“Paul is ready to take on anyone, but he has specifically targeted Margarito. Once the fans start seeing his exciting style and constant throwing of punches, they too will become rabid Paul Williams’ fans.

Come 2007; be warned to get ready for your dose of “Capital Punishment!”