Paul Williams Update: Erislandy Lara and Deandre Latimore in the Running for July 9
by Scott Christ on May 19, 2011 1:21 PM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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Steve Kim mentioned on Twitter today that Erislandy Lara and Deandre Latimore are under consideration to replace Nobuhiro Ishida against Paul Williams on July 9, televised by HBO. Yesterday, HBO brass made the decision to withdraw approval of Williams vs Ishida.
Latimore (22-3, 17 KO) called out Williams about a month ago:
"I think me and Williams makes for a great TV fight, one that fans want to see, and it should be easy to make, too. I'm looking for a big opportunity on one of the major networks to showcase the new, complete Deadre Latimore. Williams says he is the most avoided fighter in boxing. Well, I'm not avoiding him, and he needs to put up or shut up. Let's do it!"
Lara (15-0-1, 10 KO) last fought on March 25, going to a draw with Carlos Molina. It's good to see that the Cuban import isn't looking to step back, but instead move forward from a disappointing performance. Lara and Latimore were reportedly discussing a July 29 fight on Friday Night Fights against each other, but you can't blame the pair for trying to make bigger bucks against Williams on HBO.
I feel like it's worth noting that if Williams had agreed to fight Pawel Wolak, we wouldn't even be here.
Of the two, which matchup do you prefer? Last time we did one of these Paul Williams vs ? polls, the majority voted "Not really interested in either" instead of Ishida or Latimore. So I'll include that option again.
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Lara
He might have looked poor against Molina, but I think provided he gets a proper camp in, he beats Williams. Paul’s just so hittable – Sergio found him with so many overhand lefts in the first and then, of course, the second fight – and I’m positive Lara’s speed and accuracy will pick holes in Williams.
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
by Oli Goldstein on May 19, 2011 1:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
For the record I’m OK with either opponent. I liked Latimore fine for a comeback fight anyway. And anyway, if it’s head-to-head, I’ll be watching Rios vs Antillon on Showtime, so whatever.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
Latimore is nothing but a big mouth. His last two opponents had 25 losses between them. The only person person of note at all who he’s beaten is Sechew Powell, and Powell avenged the loss. If the best version of Lara shows up, though, it could be competitive fight. Unless of course Williams turns out to be messed up still after the Martinez KO, in which case all bets are off. But I don’t think we’ll see such a damaged Williams that he won’t at least give Lara a good fight and more likely outworks Lara and beats him.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
I’m fine with either fighter, but I guess I’d be more intrigued to see how Lara would fare.
Still searching for an alive Dan Tucker.
That’s why I voted for Lara. It’s not only a “Paul Williams return,” but also has the intrigue of seeing how Lara bounces back from a disappointing performance. It’s a double whammy instead of just “Let’s see how Paul looks!” There’s danger for both.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on May 19, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Same
But I’m a PTP fan, and I wouldn’t go out of my way to see him fight either one.
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"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
im a little worried about paul
him lining up ishida kinda said to me that he wanted a really easy comeback.. maybe those around him are worried that he cant be who he was.. i want him to be that p4p punisher again and prove himself worthy and ready for a rubber match with sergio. but like i said in the comments for an earlier post, im afraid that he’ll never be the same after that punch
"After this, I'm gonna kick Bob Arum's ass."
-George Lopez
Seeing how badly he got KTFO’d by Martinez, I have no problem with him taking a soft touch on his first fight back. I just don’t think HBO ought to be ponying up big dollars for him to do it.
by The Boxer Rebellion on May 19, 2011 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
i dont either
from the beginning i ASSUMED hed take a soft touch. and actually id have no problem with ishida.. im certain he could have got a fnf date (which isnt the worst thing ever)
"After this, I'm gonna kick Bob Arum's ass."
-George Lopez
by Eddie Gonzalez on May 19, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
FNF has a $50,000 or so budget per show. Paul Williams has been making HBO money too long to step back to that.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on May 19, 2011 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
*nodding
ooooohhhhhh… i didnt know that. yeah, guy has to pay the bills.
"After this, I'm gonna kick Bob Arum's ass."
-George Lopez
by Eddie Gonzalez on May 19, 2011 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
No matter how flawed a fighter Tall Paul is, he beats Lara, unless Lara takes the earmuffs off and learns how to work when the other guy punches. If Williams can put the workrate on Lara and Lara does his best Clottey impression, chock it up as a UD for Williams. Lara could stop Williams late if Paul’s chin has been compromised, but I just dont see it. Latimore is just not as good a fighter as Lara, but he’s more powerful, giving him more of a punchers chance than Lara in my opinion.
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