LOS ANGELES – Tired of the constant rebuffs by world-ranked contenders and others on the cusp, highly touted welterweight Paul Williams and his opponent, Alfonso Sanchez, will square off in a high-stakes match whereby the winner will rise to a potential Top-5 world ranking and the lucrative paydays which would likely follow.
In the Showtime “ShoBox: The New Generation” co-feature on Friday, December 2nd at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino (formerly Palace Indian Gaming Center) in Lemoore, California promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, Williams (27-0, 19 KOs), from Augusta GA, will also be putting his perfect record on the line against Tijuana’s Sanchez (20-3-1, 18 KOs), who this past month knocked out Top 10 world-rated Steve Martinez in just 40 seconds of the first round.
“Williams has to be the most avoided welterweight in the division today,” promoter Dan Goossen proclaimed. “This fight should not have been made yet because the risk is high without the financial benefit. But in today’s world you have to fight your way to recognition, with or without the money. This is Williams’ statement fight to the media, television networks and boxing organizations.
“Without the Olympic background,” Goossen continued, “most fighters have to earn their reputation the old fashioned way – fight their way to be noticed and talked about in very, very risky fights. You win one or two of these type of bouts and the big fights will follow, and the money will come with it.”
For his part, Goossen revealed that matchmaker Tom Brown has been repeatedly shunned by many of the so-called “elite” of the welterweight division looking to distance themselves as far as they can from Williams.
“Fighters like Joshua Clottey (#7 WBC; #5 WBO), Carlos Quintana (# 3 WBA), Kermit Cintron (#5 IBF; #9 WBO), Miguel Rodriguez (#5 WBC) and others acted like they weren’t even remotely interested in fighting Williams. I was shocked they didn’t even consider the benefit of fighting on Showtime,” stated Brown.
Unlike those listed above and much to his credit, Sanchez was willing to take the challenge against Williams in what shapes up as an outstanding, highly competitive bout.
Williams hasn’t been surprised by any of this saying, “When the fans see me on ShoBox in December, they’ll understand why I believe I’m the future of the welterweight division – now!”
“This is truly a sign of the times,” explained Goossen, “when the young up-and-coming Williams is saying ‘whatever the risk I want to make my presence known now’.”
Headlining the December 2nd “ShoBox: The New Generation” card will be a scheduled 12-rounder between NABF Featherweight Champion Robert Guerrero (16-0-1, 9 KOs), of Gilroy, CA versus Mexico City’s Gamaliel Diaz (19-5-2, 9 KOs).
