Paul Williams Wins Bizarre Technical Decision Over Kermit Cintron

Carson, California -- Paul Williams saw yet another of his opponents crash to the floor. Unfortunately, this time it was not from one of his punches.

In a controversial Saturday night bout at Carson's Home Depot Center, Paul Williams earned a technical decision victory over Kermit Cintron after Cintron fell out of the ring during the fourth round and was unable to continue.

The spill occurred just as the action began to intensify, as Williams landed several big left hands to Cintron's head during the round.

Soon after, the fighters became entangled, causing Williams to inadvertently fall to the canvas. Cintron in turn tripped over the fallen Williams, tumbling headfirst through the ropes. On the way down, Cintron violently banged his head before eventually crashing onto the stadium floor.

Although Cintron gamely wanted to continue boxing, the ringside doctor stopped the fight out of medical necessity. He was then removed minutes later from the arena by stretcher and taken to a local hospital.

Under California rules, once the fourth round has started, the fight goes to the scorecards. This differs from the Association of Boxing Commissions rule requiring that four rounds be completed before any decision can be rendered.

In this case, the injury occurred during the fourth round, and thus, would have been a "no contest" under ABC guidelines. However, since the fight occurred in California, the local rule applied. Therefore, the fight went to the scorecards, with scores for the incomplete fourth round included as well.

Judges Fritz Werner and James Jen Kin scored the fight for Williams 39-37 and 40-36, respectively. Judge Jerry Cantu had it 40-36 for Cintron, inexplicably giving Cintron the fourth round. TheDailySportsHerald.com scored the fight 39-37, for Williams.

A sheepish Williams took the odd victory in stride, but did not seem particularly satisfied. Instead, he hinted at a rematch.

"He hit me with a little shot, I hit him with one, we got tangled, and then fell out of the ring," Williams said. "I know he wanted to fight. I know I wanted to fight. I don't know what to say. It's a strange way to get a win. I'll try to get a better one next time."

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

Cintron's fall ruined what had otherwise been a close, competitive fight up to that point.

Known for his busy, hundred-punches-per-round pace, Williams began the evening uncharacteristically reserved.

Rather than launch into his usual attack, Williams approached the hard-hitting Cintron with caution, deliberately probing for opportunities during the first two rounds. Despite his legendary long reach, Williams had difficulty finding the range on his jab, as Cintron kept away at a safe distance throughout the fight.

When Williams would try to lean forward and connect, Cintron would repeatedly catch him coming in with effective counter shots. The taller Williams played into Cintron's strategy to a degree by bending down and providing a target when he threw his punches. As a result, the first two rounds had minimal action, but were close and tough to score.

Williams improved his record to 39-1 with the victory, while Cintron dropped to 32-3-1.

Williams landed 27 of his 207 total punches (13%), and 20 of his 76 power shots (26%). Cintron landed 29 of his 126 total punches (23%), and 19 of his 63 power shots (30%).

Here is our round-by-round ringside analysis of the fight:


Round 1

Cintron begins with a left jab. Both men are defensive and are cautiously looking for opportunities. Cintron throws a right, and Williams answers with a jab to the stomach. Williams throws a right and a later left. Cintron counters with a good left to the head. With less than a minute remaining it is anybody's round, and Cintron successfully lands some counter shots including a good right near the bell.

A close round, with Cintron countering effectively, and Williams being far more tentative than in his past bouts.
10-9, Cintron

Round 2

Williams comes out flicking his jab but has not yet found his range. Williams comes forward and throws a 1-2. Cintron lands a good counter right hand, and continues to box and counter well.

Another tight round, with Cintron landing the cleaner shots, but Williams being the more active, aggressive fighter.
10-9, Williams

Round 3

Cintron lands a stiff left jab to the head. Williams is flicking his jab, but not landing it enough because Cintron is maintaining a safe distance. Cintron swings and misses wildly. Cintron gets in a right to the head. Williams flurries, but much is blocked. Williams picks up the pace in the final minute and connects with a solid left.

Williams is missing often, but is the busier, more active guy. Cintron is elusive and stays out of harm's way, but is not countering enough.
10-9, Williams

Round 4

Williams lands a big left hand, backing Cintron up against the ropes. Williams then lands two more thunderous lefts. Thus far, these are the most spirited moments of the bout. Cintron gets to the middle of the ring and lands a right. Williams answers with another left. The fighters become entangled, and Williams collapses to the canvas. Cintron trips over Williams and goes through the ropes headfirst. The fight is stopped by the doctor.
10-9, Williams

Post Fight Notes & Comments

1. Among the many celebrities in attendance were Freddie Roach, Cristobal Arreola, Bobby Chacon, Cedric "The Entertainer," Fernando Vargas, Jack Mosley, Sergio Martinez, Isaiah Thomas, and Timothy Bradley.

The stars were receptive to fans, with Sergio Martinez particularly going out of his way to take pictures and sign autographs for every fan who approached him.

2. Cintron promoter Lou DiBella and trainer Ronnie Shields argued that a "no contest" under ABC rules would have been the more just ending. They demanded a rematch, and disputed the 40-36 scorecard of Judge James Jen Kin.

3. Williams promoter Dan Goossen was reluctant to offer a rematch, hinting that the action was not compelling enough to warrant a do-over. According to Goossen, "there was nothing that happened inside that ring the first three and half rounds to say 'let's see it again.'"

Goossen went on to say that he would like Williams to have his next fight "at 147" pounds.

4. The first three rounds were punctuated by boos from the crowd, as both fighters were boxing cautiously.

5. Williams stated that his team planned to come out with more caution in this bout so that he would not take as much punishment as in past bouts. His team wanted to him to sit back and be "relaxed" at the start until he found his rhythm.

6. Goossen acknowledged that the fight to be made is Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather. However, he stated that if that fight were to collapse again, then Paul Williams should be the next guy in line, rather than some "recycled welterweight" such as Joshua Clottey.

7. At the post-fight press conference, Williams lamented that the fans "didn't get their money's worth." Williams also welcomed a rematch with Cintron, stating that if the promoters could come to an agreement, then he would be "all in."

8. When asked about a future opponent for Williams, Goossen said that a rematch with Sergio Martinez would likely be "down the line." When Andre Berto was mentioned as a possible opponent, Goossen dismissed that notion, pointing out that at this time, Berto is still a "rising fighter," and that Paul Williams is past that stage and has "been there, done that."

In the meantime, Goossen stated that he wants Williams fighting at welterweight so that he can eventually get into the ring with Pacquiao or Mayweather.

9. On the undercard, Argenis Mendez of the Dominican Republic earned a majority decision victory over Martin Honorio. The fight had several quality exchanges, with Honorio constantly stalking the quicker, counter-punching Mendez. Mendez, a former 2004 Olympian, improved to 16-1. Honorio fell to 28-5-1.

By Mike Elliott
Staff Editor for TheDailySportsHerald.com

Photographs by Tri Le
Photography Editor for TheDailySportsHerald.com