Sergio Martinez vs Paul Williams II: Williams KO'ed in 2

Middleweight King Sergio Martinez

Getty Images

2010-11-20

Sergio Martinez vs Paul Williams

WBC Middleweight Title

Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
HBO Production

Getty Images

2010-11-20

By Randy De La O

Saturday night’s fight at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall in New Jersey was short and sweet. It was 1:10 into the second round when Sergio Martinez saw his opening and threw an explosive left hook to the side of Paul Williams jaw. It connected and then some. The ending was so sudden, so complete it was almost surreal, It was the type of knockout that scares you. “I was waiting for a mistake, but I was surprised that it came so soon, I didn't want the judges to rob me this time" said Martinez

The fight itself was expected to be a continuation of the first fight which ended in a controversial majority decision in favor of Williams. That fight never materialized. Martinez got his revenge quickly and decisively in a fight that started out competitively. The knockout is almost certain to be the knockout of the year and could end up being the knockout of the decade. I can’t remember the last time I saw such a devastating one punch knockout. “I got caught” said Williams “I just got caught”. Boy, did he ever.

There is a primal savagery in the way that Martinez fights; skilled but with a sort of reckless abandonment. He evokes memories of a time when the middleweights were king.This champ is not afraid of taking risks. He wanted to make his mark here in the United States and he did. It’s hard to believe that Martinez won’t have a following after this knockout. With one single punch he stole the thunder from last week’s fight between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito. It has to shake up the pound for pound rankings.

Message to Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.; Make your fight with each other and quick. There is a new sheriff in town that realistically doesn’t need either one of you. Martinez is the kind of guy that can make both of you an after thought. Come to think about it, that fight is becoming less important by the minute. Better hurry!