By Peter Wells: When first hearing about this fight I couldn’t really believe it, a big prospect like Erislandy Lara who is coming off the back of a draw is fighting Paul ‘The Punisher’ Williams. Yes, Paul was knocked out brutally last time out but he’s still one of the best Light Middleweights in the world and I believe he can still prove he is the best. As you can tell I feel that this is a big task for Lara and he does need to step it up now but shouldn’t he be fighting someone like Austin Trout or Alfredo Angulo. Also his last outing doesn’t seem convincing that he’s good enough to beat Williams.

Despite this I do believe that this is an intriguing fight and if Lara can show his promise tonight then he has a good chance of beating the 6ft 1in Williams. Lara is giving up 4inches in height but if Williams fights like he usually does on the inside it shouldn’t be a major worry.

Lara knows that this is his big break a win would surely put him in line for a title shot especially after Golden Boy have said that the winner could be fighting Saul Alvarez. Paul on the other hand will want to put himself back in contention and he could show us his boxing side which may be a sensible tactic as he doesn’t want too many wars.

This fight could go two ways, if Williams is up for another brutal fight then he could take Lara into deep waters and a stoppage for the taller man would be very likely, but it could allow Lara to showcase his own skills and take advantage of Paul not using that exceptional height and reach. But i feel that Williams will want to show he can box and move and play safe behind the jab, he could also display some of that brilliant hand speed and his ability to throw shots from different angles to take a clear points verdict.

On the undercard Rico Ramos is fighting for the World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight title against Afikumi Shimoda. I believe the unbeaten Ramos will come out victorious via a unanimous verdict.