How you see this one going?
Of all the fighters in and around 160, Abraham's one big drawback, could actually help him in this fight. He is very wide punching, but williams isnt great at defending hooks.
AA stops him.
I'm banking on it.
AA puts that guard up and counters terrifically, only difference (and big) that separates him from Wright is that AA can really bang.
I like Paul Williams but people seem to be assuming because of his frame he's the type of fighter that is automatically going to be the same man from 147 all the way to middleweight and beyond. I don't believe that's the case.
Paul Williams uses his height, work-rate, and awkward angles to beat fighters; in other words, most of his style- in terms of success- stems from his physical advantages. His long arms, and therefore reach, coupled with the stamina to swamp fighters.
That said, Paul doesn't possess a large punch, despite the knockouts he's had at lower weights. He's a rangy, high intensity fighter that is able to make a lower weight and because of it is a physical abnormality and a problem for opponents.
The higher the Punisher moves up in weight, the less these advantages are going to matter. Middleweights are bigger, taller men. Arthur Abraham may top out under 6 feet, but Pavlik is closer to 6'3,Taylor was 6'1, and the man he beat for the belt- division overlord Hopkins- was about the same height but obviously, we can all now agree, a larger man.
Paul Williams can't afford to pitter-pat overload a true, power punching middleweight with the same abandon he could with Wright, who isn't much of a puncher. Further, Winky has the style that he uses his defense to set up his offense. He didn't pose the same threat to Paul's chin that Abraham, Pavlik or other middleweights would.
The Punisher is what and who he is because his height allows him to tower over little men and make them pay trying to get close (even if he doesn't fight like a 'tall' man). He can use his size advantage to stop opponents in their tracks with his decent punching power for a welterweight. A lot of this evaporates at middleweight.
Honestly, I see Paul losing- maybe even getting hurt- against some big, hard punching middleweights. Especially if someone moves down, like Kessler, to tango with the 'most avoided'. I understand if some of you feel he's too big for 147, so I think his real home would be 154. While it's not traditionally the most exciting division on the planet, a good fight for Paul would be to dance with Vernon Forrest or someone of that caliber- not unlike the Phillips fight attempted to.
I don't think Paul Williams is the same at 160. Not a poor fighter, but he loses some of what makes him dangerous at 154/147.
I think it's odd Americans rate Abraham so highly(as a euro f.ag), I have never been that impressed.
He hits like a truck, but he fights in tiny bursts. At elite level I don't think he can win unless he takes people out. There is being poised, then there is being Abraham.
I've not even seen the Winky fight yet, I just don't rate Arthur that highly. Pavlik would comfortably beat him.
unless aa caught pwill he will lose every round with his shit workrate against paul. if aa can't hurt and ko paul he will look soooo foolish.
Exactly how I see it.
If Paul's chin holds up he wins. Same with Pavlik, but Pavlik would be tougher.
Winky was off for 20 months or so and just did not have enough to earn Williams' respect. I gotta think that AA will work the body and hurt PWill in the later rounds. AA, I think, is too strong.
i think that after lastnight fight... im leaning towards workrate.
williams chin is underrated.
He's got a good chin, but it hasnt been tested at 160. I like his workrate because Abraham has a similar style to winky with that mummy defense. But the difference is Abraham hits hella hard. Winky got some good shots in on Williams. I just dont know if Williams can take those kind of shots from Abraham.
Winky was landing some great shots on Pwilliams but they were getting lost in pw workrate. You can bet that if aa lands those same shots it would be good night for Pwillaims.
williams wins since AA style is similar to winkys just in a right hander stance and AA training is spent now on cutting weight that actually training a lot
If AA is healthy he wins the fight. You're right when you mention the wide punches. Abraham will be able to hit Williams with combinations when he pulls back like he did against Miranda. And unlike Winky Abraham can punch. I also think Abraham will let Williams come to him so he can counter.