Paul Williams Prepares for Verno Phillips
Rising Star Meets Grizzled Veteran in Junior Middleweight Fight
Nov 28, 2008
It wasn't that long ago, after Carlos Quintana thoroughly out-boxed Williams this past February, that doubts about the gangly welterweight's future in the division filled the air like sawdust in a millshop. Williams, to this writer's eyes, was finished at 147, and maybe on his way out of the sport in general.
The thinking was (okay, "thinking" is probably a reach) that Williams' exceptional height--listed at 6'1" but he's probably an inch or two taller-- and 82" reach were the key to his success over the rest of the welterweights. If he could no longer make the weight, necessitating a move up, he would likely become more "normal." And beatable.
Then Williams cold-cocked Quintana in the first round of their rematch.
"George (Peterson, Williams' trainer) wanted me to plant my feet more and get respect, so that's what I did. It's working," Williams told Suite 101 during an open workout at the KO gym in Riverside, CA. It worked on Andy Kolle in September too. That fight was at 158. According to the Peterson, fights at 147 were virtually impossible to get.
"We may have to go to 168 because of all these girl scouts that are afraid to fight Paul." For the record, the "girl scouts" Peterson refers to are Antonio Margarito (the one they really want), Shane Mosley, Oscar de la Hoya, and Miguel Cotto. Andre Berto gets an honorable mention.
Phillips took the IBF belt from Cory Spinks in St. Louis last March but gave it up for the chance to fight Williams, and the big payday that came with it. Phillips, who will celebrate his 39th birthday by fighting Williams, has been around the block and then some. He won his first alphabet world title back in 1993 by finishing Lupe Aquino in seven, and won another title in 2004 in a six round duel with Carlos Bojorquez a full eleven and a half years later. The 27-year-old Williams isn't taking him lightly.
"He's a crafty veteran. I'm not looking for the knockout, but I'll plant my feet and get his respect. If the knockout comes, it comes."
Truthfully, I've been training since the second Quintana fight. I could make 147, but nobody wants to fight me there. It's no big deal, 147, 154, 160, any of them. I just do my thing. I have no problem with weight."
Williams worked up a sweat for the cameras which were, surprisingly, rather sparse. For a young man as long and lanky as he is, Williams moves well around the heavybag. Exceptionally well. He is in constant motion, darting in and out then planting his feet and shifting laterally like Barry Sanders slicing his way through the backfield. Not once does he stay in one spot for more than five seconds. The punches flow as effortlessly as the constant "Yes Sir," and "No Sir," one gets when speaking with him. Assuming one is his elder.
It's unlikely that Phillips will get any of that kind of respect this Saturday night. Not until after the fight, anyway.
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