Paul Williams-Kermit Cintron Talks Begin For 08

By Mark Vester

After a few months of back and forth trash talking, negotiations are underway to match WBO welterweight champion Paul Williams (33-0, 24 KOs) against IBF champion Kermit Cintron in a unification fight that will take place in February on HBO.

HBO, Main Events and Goossen Tutor confirmed the negotiations to Dan Rafael, who also reports that HBO wants undefeated heavyweight Cristobal Arreola (22-0, 20 KOs) to appear in the co-feature, with Travis Walker (25-0-1, 19 KOs) being one name mentioned as a possible opponent.

Shakur vs Teofimo, Why Winning as the Underdog Is a BIG Deal Paulie & Algieri Break Down BIG FIGHT

In this episode, Paulie Malignaggi and Chris Algieri break down why winning as the underdog in a fight like this is such a big deal — not just for rankings, but for momentum, perception, and long-term stardom.

Saturday | Jan 31, 2026

Cintron must still beat Jesse Feliciano on the Nov. 23 undercard to Fernando Vargas-Ricardo Mayorga.

Williams is coming off an impressive title-winning decision win over Antonio Margarito in July, the same man who handed Cintron the only loss of his career, by way of a fifth-round knockout, in 2005.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com