Weights: Wright 159, Williams 157, Arreola 255

[Xyei]

Nice article about the Wright-Williams fight, with interviews, here.

An extract:

About 10 years ago, there was a similar fight between two smaller prizefighters. One was known as a come-forward punching machine, and the other was known as a defensive stalwart who just couldn’t punch much. Does this sound familiar?

At the time I had some very good friends (one who died in 2000 from cancer) who did not believe me when I told them it was going to be a great fight. They all shook their heads in unison. After about a week of me insisting they go to Vegas for the fight, they finally relented.

Ironically the fight was held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino too. It was a brand new arena at the time and hadn’t staged many fights. On this particular night two bantamweights contenders entered the ring to a near full house.

The two prizefighters that night were Johnny Tapia and little-known Paulie Ayala. When the bell rang in the first round, it was like igniting a keg of gasoline because these two guys exploded on each other.

My friends Dr. Mario Perez - who passed away from cancer two months after watching Oscar De La Hoya fight Shane Mosley in their first fight - and publisher Jesus Jimenez had gingerly come along. When I looked back at them after the third round they just had these two big smiles. They knew they were witnessing a boxing gem.

Twelve rounds later, it was Ayala whose hand was raised to the astonishment of half of the crowd. That night the real winners were the boxing fans who saw one of the best fights in the last 19 years. They don’t come that often.

Williams and Wright should bring that same fiery element when they square off on Saturday. I could see it in their eyes that they were anxious to get the fight going.

“I’m going to take it to him,” said Williams with this big gleam in his eyes. “I’m not looking to wait.”

Wright nodded his head excitedly. After spending most of his career chasing opponents, he has a guy who is equally anxious to trade blows.

“I say cool, lets do it,” says Wright. “I can’t wait. It’s been a long time.”

The writer sure proved his dead cancer victim friend wrong.

Decent article but that comment was a bit odd.

The comments on that page are funny.

[hitmenow]

Lets go PWill!

[Mr. Philadel]

if Winky wins I'll give him mad props.......but I can't see him gettin' over on P.Will........P.Will by UD or Winky does a Sam Peter and DLH by quittin' on the stool.......he's too old to be fightin' this type of fighter after being away for so long, Paul's work rate is that of a workaholic........like I said, if Winky wins I'll give him mad props!!

[Lacrimosa]

I think Williams and Arreola by decisions...

Williams because he has age and reach advantage, and God knows what is his shape right now...

And Arreola because he is undefeated and he will stay (or he will be helped to stay) until fighting a champ... But i don`t expect him to stop McCline... only in case of some kind of injury...

[WESS]

Winky Wright by UD and Arreola by KO.

Thats what I see........

[WESS]

Greatness = No Beer Belly

George Forman!

[WESS]

Nice article about the Wright-Williams fight, with interviews, here.

An extract:

About 10 years ago, there was a similar fight between two smaller prizefighters. One was known as a come-forward punching machine, and the other was known as a defensive stalwart who just couldn’t punch much. Does this sound familiar?

At the time I had some very good friends (one who died in 2000 from cancer) who did not believe me when I told them it was going to be a great fight. They all shook their heads in unison. After about a week of me insisting they go to Vegas for the fight, they finally relented.

Ironically the fight was held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino too. It was a brand new arena at the time and hadn’t staged many fights. On this particular night two bantamweights contenders entered the ring to a near full house.

The two prizefighters that night were Johnny Tapia and little-known Paulie Ayala. When the bell rang in the first round, it was like igniting a keg of gasoline because these two guys exploded on each other.

My friends Dr. Mario Perez - who passed away from cancer two months after watching Oscar De La Hoya fight Shane Mosley in their first fight - and publisher Jesus Jimenez had gingerly come along. When I looked back at them after the third round they just had these two big smiles. They knew they were witnessing a boxing gem.

Twelve rounds later, it was Ayala whose hand was raised to the astonishment of half of the crowd. That night the real winners were the boxing fans who saw one of the best fights in the last 19 years. They don’t come that often.

Williams and Wright should bring that same fiery element when they square off on Saturday. I could see it in their eyes that they were anxious to get the fight going.

“I’m going to take it to him,” said Williams with this big gleam in his eyes. “I’m not looking to wait.”

Wright nodded his head excitedly. After spending most of his career chasing opponents, he has a guy who is equally anxious to trade blows.

“I say cool, lets do it,” says Wright. “I can’t wait. It’s been a long time.”

Nice! I'm game for either PW or WW to win.

IMO the only way it'ill be an upset is if the fight is'nt what this article explains!

Nice find/post.

[PBDS]

...Williams by UD and possibly late stoppage. McCline by KO and then the Arreola band wagon jumpers all leap off at once and the Areola versus W. or V. Klit talk stops before it really starts. Arreola needs to clean himself up a bit.

[Pretty_Hitman]

Winky - UD

[Sutekh uvdabrix]

winky by MD

mccline by tko

mccline will be able to finish the job unlike walker