Around the Net: Paul Williams vs Sergio Martinez II Pre-Fight Edition

Sergio Martinez puts his World Middleweight Title on the line this Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City against challenger Paul Williams in the rematch we've all been waiting for.  With memories of last year's knockdown drag'em out back alley style brawl still fresh, expectations are high for the world's two best middleweights to produce another classic.

Can they deliver the goods once more?

Williams has vowed to bring the same kind of pressure, though Martinez promises a more tactical battle.  Given his edge in pure skills, that's probably a wise strategy for the man that dethroned Kelly Pavlik back in April - though with height and reach on the aggressive Georgia fighter's side, the champion might be hard pressed to avoid exchanging with the lanky punching machine.

There's also the factor of how weight might impact the fight.  Martinez has to come down an extra two pounds for the match-up, having given in to demands from the Williams team for a catch-weight contest at 158lbs.  He likely won't need to dry out dramatically as he's weighed in at 166 and 167 on fight night for his last two bouts, though that extra bit of water he'll need to lose might make a difference in late round stamina.

We'll see how this battle of southpaws plays out Saturday night, but for now let's take a look around the net for more analysis and pre-fight buzz...

Bad Left Hook Fight Preview: Sergio Martinez v. Paul Williams II

I know, I know. The first one was a FOTY candidate. But the way that fight played out was truly stunning. Nobody expected a toe-to-toe war from these two last December, and even though we've seen that happen when they fight one another, I think it's still a little crazy to expect it to happen again. That fight's first round led to an ultra aggressive outing from both men. It seemed like a fight where corner advice and gameplans were thrown out the window after the opening round knockdowns, and both men just started going 100mph the whole way. They knew they could hurt their foe, and saw the openings being presented. Defense was abandoned. That's not likely to happen again. Both have been involved in other good fights, and their styles just might lead to another war. But I'd advise to temper expectations so that a good, tactical fight with some nice exchanges doesn't seem like a letdown.

The Boxing Tribune - And Now a Touch of Class: Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martinez

It’s the way boxing should always conduct itself: Two prime, elite fighters at the top of their game, meeting on a completely even playing field. These are the fights that provide sparks and win new fans for the sport. It’s the way boxing used to conduct itself before pre-fight stipulations and contract negotiations became as much of a factor as a strong jab and slippery defense.

Granted, there is a rather arbitrary 158 lb. catchweight stipulation attached to this one via Team Williams (supposedly to allow Williams for an easier return to 147 if he should land a major bout with either Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao). But, other than that, this promotion has been all about boxing and what one side plans to do to the other.

USATODAY.com - Sergio Martinez-Paul Williams II is a matchup to savor

Williams expects the rematch to be much like the first meeting.

"This one will be more brutal," Williams says. "It will be more action and there will be more punches thrown. The same as in the first fight but 10 times more. ... It's going to be a good fight but I know I'm coming out with the win, either with a knockout or even a decision."

Martinez doesn't see it that way. "It's going to be a different fight," he says. "You're going to see a different Sergio Martinez. I'm going to work different angles. I definitely want to be victorious on (Saturday)."

Boxing Scene - Martinez-Williams: Secretly Already Rooting for Three?

As they look to continue building the fan following their talents deserve, Martinez and Williams have each other. There was no title on the line last year; that is rectified this time. It would still be there if Martinez sent this war of wills into a deciding frame.

There is no way to know yet what will unfold this weekend. Living up the first encounter might be too much to ask. Maybe Martinez, flush with confidence, takes his game to the next level and runs Williams out of the ring.

Maybe, as he did in avenging his lone loss to Carlos Quintana, Williams plants his feet, finds his inner destroyer, and emerges as the total ‘pound-for-pound’ package some have been waiting for.

The Sweet Science - Catch This Controversy: Martinez Says Williams All About Excuses

Martinez, on a Wednesday conference call to hype the rematch, repeatedly dismissed the notion that he is fighting a losing battle with his body, and the scale. He did, however, hammer home the point that he thinks Williams and his team look too hard to make excuses for the tight margin of the last bout.

"Paul didn't really want the fight with me," Martinez said through an interpreter, "so he tried to put in a lot of conditions to make the fight. I agreed to the conditions. But weight is no problem, I've never had a weight problem in my career."

FightNews.com - Q&A: Sergio Martinez

With less than a week until what is considered widely by many to be the most anticipated rematch this year, how do you feel at this point?

It sounds funny to say this, that before every fight I feel better than ever but it’s the truth. I feel my body has been getting stronger and I feel myself getting better each day as we get closer to the fight. Physically and mentally I feel I’m at the highest level I can possibly be and have been of my entire career..

Boxing Scene - Sergio Martinez: A Win Away From Fighter Of The Year

A Martinez win on Saturday means a notable successful middleweight title defense, something the sport hasn’t seen in more than three years.

A Martinez win on Saturday means revenge against the man who arguably stole one from him 11 months ago.

Finally, a Martinez win on Saturday gives boxing fans a definitive choice for 2010’s Fighter of The Year.

Yahoo! Eurosport - Pacquiao evades Williams-Martinez winner

Goossen has made no secret of his desire to pit Williams against either Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr. DiBella hasn’t been as vocal, but be very certain if Martinez prevails on Saturday, DiBella will plead the case for a Pacquiao-Martinez bout.

They’re going to have to be content with the middleweight belt, however, because Pacquiao isn’t going to fight either man.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, didn’t dismiss the possibility at the postfight news conference Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, that Pacquiao could face the Williams-Martinez winner, but he did on Tuesday.