Round by Round Coverage; Paul Williams-Verno Phillips

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Rick Reeno - Later tonight, two of boxing’s rising stars are going to be showcased on a televised doubleheader on HBO. In the main event, Paul Williams (35-1, 26 KOs) goes for his second divisional title when he takes on veteran Verno Phillips (42-10-1, 21 KOs) for the vacant WBO interim-junior middleweight title.

Williams, unable to land a significant fight at 147-pounds, vacated his WBO welterweight title to take the fight. Phillips threw his title aside as well, vacating the IBF 154-pound trinket that he won from Cory Spinks in March.

The co-feature is a duel of two hard-hitting American heavyweight prospects. Chris Arreola (25-0, 22 KOs), in possibly his most dangerous assignment, takes on the much larger Travis Walker (28-1, 22 KOs). An impressive win for either fighter could lead to a title shot in 2009. [details]

[Flawless 2]

Williams wil KO him under 7 rounds and call out Margarito but Margarito will still fight Cotto instead of 4 million and try to avenge his loss. Disgraceful

[SweetScience31]

old dogs bite hard.

I hope P will is ready because Vphillps is a tuff old dog. He is gonnna realy test Pwill's skill level and i think the fight goes 12 rounds just off the solidness of Vphillps chin. He is one of those old guys who knows how to take a punch.And since Pwill has a tuff beard to, look for a pwill decision unless he has forgotten how to throw one hundred shots a round.

[StxWolf]

Williams wil KO him under 7 rounds and call out Margarito but Margarito will still fight Cotto instead of 4 million and try to avenge his loss. Disgraceful

Nah, Phillips lasts longer than that. And how is Margarito fighting Mosley then Cotto "disgraceful?" They're both Top 5 WWs. Sorry, but the world does not revolve around Paul Williams.

Frankly, I wish all champions in all divisions were as "disgraceful" as Margarito. The sport would be better for it.

[Slugger_P4P]

what time is this fight expected to start UK time?

[jmyersdtn]

I have to work tonight, but I look forward to reading about what happened when I get home.....

[gridiron]

What happened in 1988?

January 1 - The Soviet Union begins its program of economic restructuring (perestroika) with legislation
February 3 - The ********ic-controlled United States House of Representatives rejects President Ronald Reagan's request for $36.25 million to support the Nicaraguan Contras.
March 26 - U.S. presidential candidate Jesse Jackson defeats Michael Dukakis in the Michigan ********ic caucuses, becoming the temporary front-runner for the party's nomination.
April 30 - Unknown Celine Dion wins the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland with the song Ne partez pas sans moi.
May 31 - U.S. President Ronald Reagan addresses 600 Moscow State University students, during his visit to the Soviet Union.
June 11 - Wembley Stadium hosts a concert featuring stars from the fields of music, comedy and film, in celebration of the 70th birthday of imprisoned ANC leader Nelson Mandela.
July 20 - The ********ic National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia nominates Michael Dukakis for U.S. President and Lloyd Bentsen for Vice President.
August 18 - The ********** National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana nominates George H.W. Bush for President and James "Dan" Quayle for Vice President of the United States of America.
September 17 – October 2 - The 1988 Summer Olympics are held in Seoul, South Korea. Ben Johnson 9.79, remember?
October 27 - Ronald Reagan decides to tear down the new US embassy in Moscow because of Soviet listening devices in the building structure
November 8 - United States presidential election, 1988: George H. W. Bush is elected over Michael Dukakis.
December 21 - Pan Am Flight 103 is blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing a total of 270 people. Those responsible are believed to be of either Iranian or Libyan origin.

Also, Verno Phillips had his inaugural year as a professional boxer. On July 30 of that year, he got stopped by a Carl Sullivan in five rounds. He hasn't been stopped since.

What happens in 2008? Well, we don't worry about the Soviets, and we don't care what Mr. Reagan says. But, we'll raise our eyebrows when Verno gets halted. "Gosh, I haven't seen that in 20 years ..."

Also, it'll be an early night for Arreola. As a winner.

Flawless predictions. Not so hard to call.

[Bhopreign]

Phillips could Ko Williams, I woudlnt be surprised even though he isnt really known for that, could possibly win a decision or get robbed. Phillips is hugely underrated as a fighter, his fight against Quartey was a classic.

[krispy kreme]

Phillips could Ko Williams, I woudlnt be surprised even though he isnt really known for that, could possibly win a decision or get robbed. Phillips is hugely underrated as a fighter, his fight against Quartey was a classic.

I didn't know he fought Quartey, we are dealing with a real veteran then. This fight will be interesting.

[Bhopreign]

I didn't know he fought Quartey, we are dealing with a real veteran then. This fight will be interesting.

Yep was on the undercard of Tarver/Johnson, he knocked Quartey down.