Age: 27
Current Title: WBO Junior Welteright Interim Title
Career Titles: Two alphabelt reigns at Welterweight
Last Five Opponents: Verno Phillips, Andy Kolle, Carlos Quintana (twice), Antonio Margarito, Santos Pakau
Next Opponent: April 11, 2009 vs. Winky Wright (51-4-1, 25 KO)
The Take: For twenty years, the only way Verno Phillips missed a final bell was if he sent his opponent home early. In other words, Williams’ stoppage of Phillips in November was an impressive feat. Had Phillips not had to vacate his IBF belt at 154 lbs., it also would have been the start of his third major title reign in his second division. Add to that a tough win over Margarito in July 2007 and a first-loss avenging first round blasting of Quintana and Boxing fans can see in Williams a potentially special fighter. At 6’1, with speed and power, he might be one of the most intimidating presences in Boxing. He’s in line for a shot at undefeated WBO Jr. Middleweight titlist Sergiy Dzinziruk and a win would be impressive. If he could parlay it from there into unification with veteran WBC titlist Vernon Forrest, Williams would have a strong claim to king of the Jr. Middleweight class…and an even better case for the desirable matches with whomever the Kings at Welter and Middleweight will be by then. Before he gets there, Williams will first take on arguably the finest Jr. Middleweight of the decade in a Middleweight fight. Wright may have been off for close to two years, but given the recent form of older fighters like Mosley and Hopkins, Winky has to be seen as live in April.
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