Just as the action began to heat up, Bad Luck poured cold water on the Home Depot Center Ring in Carson California. Williams had landed a straight left and Cintron attempted a counter right when both fighters got tangled with one another, lost their balance, and tumbled to the canvas. Williams fared better since the only thing he hit was canvas. Cintron fell between the ropes with his back and head hitting ringside production equipment before finally rolling onto the tennis stadium floor.
Williams' record goes to 39-1 (27) while Cintron's slumps to 32-2-1 (28)
According to California State Athletic Commission rules, a fight is considered a scorable contest once the bell has sounded for round four. If, as in this case, a fighter sustains an injury and cannot continue, then the fight goes to the scorecards, including any partial round. One judge saw a 39-37 fight for Williams, the second gave Williams all four rounds with a 40-36 score, while the third judge had Cintron ahead with a 40-36 scorecard.
In the first two rounds, Williams snapped his jab consistently but couldn't find Cintron's face. Cintron seemed content to let the lanky lefty (Williams is 6'2") flick his jab as it opened opportunities for him to return fire with his own stick. This strategy took Williams' height advantage away and allowed Cintron to get close enough to land his own punches. By the, ultimately unfortunate, fourth round, Williams had picked up the pace, and though he wasn't landing many punches, his superior volume likely swayed those judges who scored in his favor.
Will There Be a Williams/Cintron Rematch?
Assuming that Cintron is in no real physical distress--ringside reports were that he wished to continue fighting but the ring doctor wouldn't allow it--a rematch is likely. Williams has been calling out Floyd Mayweather but the stark reality is that Williams doesn't have a fan base to leverage a serious offer to Mayweather Inc. The Home Depot outdoor tennis center, which seats about 7,500, was filled to half capacity tonight. That isn't a good sign if one wants to force a big fight with a big name like Mayweather or Pacquiao.
Paul Williams Builds a Southern California Fan Base
Williams has had several fights in Southern California, his first big win was over Antonio Margarito in this same Home Depot Center ring. Dan Goossen, Williams' promoter, has tried desperately to build fan support for his fighter in the southwest. A few more fights like his recent dust-up with Sergio Martinez, and hopefully no more incidents like tonight's will bring recognition and money Williams's way. But Southern California fans, who are mostly hispanic, expect action fights and aren't free and easy with their affections. Even heavyweight contender Cristobal Arreola, another Goossen fighter, and Southern California native, had a difficult time selling tickets in the nearby Citizen's Bank Arena, in Ontario, California.
Before worrying about Mayweather, Williams should see about getting through a full twelve rounds with Cintron, which is hardly a foregone conclusion based on tonight's fight.
Bill Scherer - Bill Scherer has written for RingSports.com and TigerBoxing.com, enjoyed a stint as the Managing Editor for FightTube.tv and is a United ...
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