Ray Leonard and Andre Berto weigh in on Sergio Martinez – Paul Williams
With a day to go before Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez touch gloves in one of the most anticipated fights of the year, everyone from fighters to celebrities are chipping in with their two cents.
Williams (39-1, 27 KOs) and Martinez (45-2, 24 KOs) will square off Saturday Night at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
In a first bout, Williams took a close decision that many thought should have been awarded to Martinez. The difference this time around, though, is that Williams will have the opportunity to win Martinez’s WBC middleweight crown.
Former boxing star Sugar Ray Leonard told Fanhouse: "I am familiar with both fighters and believe it is 50-50 pick-em. Both fighters have good hand speed and both have punching power. Williams has height and reach advantage and Sergio has slightly more power.
I am looking forward to seeing a great fight. Great event for HBO."
WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto said: “That [Williams – Martinez] is going to be a great fight. Sergio is going to give Paul everything he can handle, but Paul has a lot of vengeance from the last fight. It's going to be a very entertaining, action-packed
bout, and Paul will come out on top."
For many, a first bout between both fighters had Williams landing more punches, but Martinez landing the harder, more significant shots. For many boxing judges, however, quantity plays a superior role in a fight, which is perhaps one reason Williams squeaked
by with the close win.
Circumstances will also be different on this occasion than in the former, since both fighters have had adequate time to prepare for each other. In their first fight, Martinez signed on extremely close to the fight date, and was thus unable to prepare for
a fighter of Williams’ stature. This time, with valuable preparation, the entire dynamic of the fight could be different.
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