By Hernan Cortez: Last year Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez produced arguably one of the best fights of the decade; many suspect the rematch on November 20th will be just as entertaining. Williams and Martinez have a pairing of styles that makes for great matches. Martinez’s momentum suggests he has the upper hand against an opponent that some feel he already beat. Yet Williams came out the victor of the first bout, and needs a meaningful win following his bizarre outing against Kermit Cintron.
A valid argument can be made in favor of either fighter. Despite whom you may want to see win the fight; the result will almost assuredly spark debate. I for one, feel these two excellent pugilists are on their way to participating in a trilogy that rivals any trilogy of the past three decades. Not that I do not appreciate Williams as a boxer or have a personal dislike for the man, but the set up for something better than a “W” is presented if he loses.
A trademark trilogy against an opponent like Martinez may be better for Williams’ legacy than a pair of close or contested wins, which is exactly how they would be remembered if Williams cannot knock out Martinez. Besides, if Williams loses and Martinez wins, who else would be a realistic option as an opponent for either fighter? Both Williams and Martinez have mentioned Pacquiao and Mayweather, but the likelihood of a meeting with these opponents seems unrealistic. There is Kelly Pavlik, but the failed meetings with Williams, the declined rematch with Martinez, and current health issues make Pavlik a less than attractive choice. Alfredo Angulo would be a nice match up for either fighter but with looming immigration issues, his future looks uncertain. Maybe Cintron would prove an alluring match up with either Martinez or Williams; it would be entertaining to see what might happen to the hard luck Cintron in either bout. But are any of these match ups as good as a trilogy between Martinez and Williams?
No, in the end, a trilogy would be the best thing to happen for both the fighters and the fans. The bout would presumably be marketable and competitive. Not to mention the increase in demand both fighters would experience as a result of their performances. The winner would have cause to call out just about any opponent he wished after a third outing, and the loser could clean up challenging just about anyone else. What else do the fans have to choose from as far as trilogies are concerned? Marquez/Vasquez is past the trilogy mark, Marquez/Pacquiao seems far off, and I do not think anyone is in a hurry to watch another Hopkins/Jones fight. No matter what happens on November 20th, and no matter who wins, fans will almost assuredly be treated to a good show, but I hope its only the second installment of a historic trilogy.
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