By Ryan Burton
 
The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene.com's official audio show, welcomed former two division champion Paul "The Punisher" Williams to their most recent show.  Williams takes on Nobuhiro Ishida in the main event of a Showtime televised card that takes place on February 18th in Corpus Christi, Texas.
 
Williams has been inactive since his controversial majority decision victory over Erislandy Lara last July. He currently is putting the final touches on his training camp and is looking to put on a spectacular performance when he steps in the ring against Ishida.
 
"Training camp is going real swell. 2012 is my year. I'm looking to go straight to the top and put on a a show," Williams told The Boxing Lab.
 
Williams was out of the ring for about 8 months following his 2nd round knockout loss to Sergio Martinez in November of 2010.  The southpaw didn't want to make excuses but admitted to us that he was a little hesitant when he stepped in the ring this past July against Lara.  He went on to tell us that the fans can expect to see the volume punching Paul Williams that we are accustomed to seeing when he faces Ishida.
 
 "You always learn from your mistakes and you move on. I give it straight and raw. I'm trying to get mine and get out," stated Williams."  "Going into the Lara fight you could say I was a little gun shy. I wanted to see if I could take punches and if I was scared to get hit. That was one of my longest layoffs too. I'm not making any excuses but I was basically allowing him to get off and I was waiting on him," he explained.
 
In a bit of a surprise Williams said that he is approaching his upcoming fight as if Ishida is the favorite. Ishida of course is coming off of his shock 1st round knockout of the then undefeated James Kirkland.  The South Carolina native feels that Ishida is going to come into the fight extremely motivated and that If Ishida were to knock him off then he would be in line for another big fight.
 
"He (Ishida) did what it took to win (versus Kirkland). He got a hot winning streak going on now. A win over me would boost his career. I look at it like I am the underdog."
 
He closed out our interview on The Boxing Lab by saying that the fans can expect to see an entertaining fight and also hinted that he doesn't think the fight will go the distance. 

"You will definitely see excitement on February 18th for as long as it lasts."

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton

Tags: Paul Williams , Nobuhiro Ishida , Williams-Ishida , Williams vs Ishida