By Sammy Rozenberg (photo credit to HBO)

 

The power of Paul Williams (31-0, 23 KOs) was felt in Reno, Nevada when he blew out former junior welterweight champion Sharmba Mitchell (57-6, 31 KOs) in four rounds. No longer should Williams, the possible second coming of Thomas Hearns, be considered a prospect. The 25-year-old powerhouse is now a legitimate threat in the welterweight division.

 

The fight started quick as both men tried to gain some momentum in at the start. Mitchell, uncharacteristically, stood his ground against the much larger Williams. By the second round, it was apparently clear that Mitchell was seriously outgunned by his near 6'2 opponent. Williams began to land his jab more consistently, which set up his powerful left hand.

 

In the third, Williams floored Mitchell with a combination of power punches. Mitchell was able to make it to his feet and closed the round by landing a big right hand to the head of Williams. Mitchell was not going to get away that easy, as Williams hurt him in the opening seconds of the fourth.

 

The beginning of the end began in the first 15 seconds of the fourth round. Williams sent Mitchell down to the canvas three times during the round. The final trip saw Mitchell counted out as he was unable to make it to his feet in time. The fourth round saw Williams landing rights, lefts, uppercuts, bodyshots and every other punch he could possibly throw. Mitchell had to use ever ounce of his 17-years of experience to stay on his feet as long as he did.

 

Once again, the biggest flaw in Williams' arsenal was exposed as an older Mitchell was able to land some unorthodox looping punches on more than one occasion. When questioned about the lack of defense, Williams replied: "sometimes you have to take some, to give some."

 

There has been a lot of shuffling in the welterweight division as of late. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. the biggest money maker in the sport, other than Oscar De La Hoya, is facing WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir on November 4 in Las Vegas. Should Mayweather win, he is set to return in February. It's not very likely that Mayweather will face Williams any time soon. Mayweather only wants fights that bring him money, and his overall goal is a bout with Oscar De La Hoya next May.

 

Ricky Hatton, the current WBA welterweight champion, is on his way back to the junior welterweight division. Shane Mosley is coming back to the welterweight division, but won't fight until 2007. WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito and undefeated Miguel Cotto are both set to compete in separate bouts on a Showtime televised card in December.

 

Zab Judah is on 1-year suspension as a result of the 10th round riot from his April bout with Mayweather. Oscar De La Hoya is still the biggest prize at the welterweight division. Oscar has only one fight left on his plate, and the opponent is almost certain to be Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

 

Currently the number one ranked contender by the WBO, Williams is pushing heavily for a title shot against Antonio Margarito. The two fighters crossed paths in the gym a few years ago. Both of them have conflicting versions as to which man got the better of the sparring battle. Margarito is penciled in against Joshua Clottey, at least that's the most recent name put down on paper. A bout with Williams is sure to happen in 2007 in one way or another.

 

The only way the fight will not take place is if Williams is unexpectedly beaten or Margarito gives up his title before the WBO forces the fight.

 

Against Mitchell, his lack of defense was not a major problem. Margarito could really do some damage with a fighter lacking proper defensive skills. One of the hardest punchers at the welterweight limit, Margarito could put some damage on Williams, regardless of how good the fighter's chin happens to be.

 

It was not long ago, that powerful prospect named Kermit Cintron was thrown in the ring with Antonio Margarito as a coming out party. The bout was put together to make Cintron a name fighter, but ended up making Margarito an even bigger name. With relative ease, Margarito knocked Cintron out. The biggest keys to Margarito's win was exposing Cintron's lack of defense and survival skills.

 

The same result could easily happen to Williams. At the same time, Williams is one of the few fighters, possibly the only fighter, that is capable of challenging Margarito in battle of power. 

 

Williams should take at least 1-2 bouts before meeting Margarito strengthen his defense, and then make the fight with Margarito a reality.