Fool’s Mate: Martinez Starches Williams in Dramatic Revenge Win
Sergio Martinez scored an emphatic one punch stoppage victory over former conqueror Paul Williams in Atlantic City yesterday evening, crumpling his opponent at 1:10 of the second round with a demonic left hand which starched the big man in an instant, dumping him face first down into the mat.
As knockouts go, it was one of the more dramatic. After a tenaciously contested opener, a round which picked up where fight one had been curtailed, another photo finish looked certain. Williams, giddy as ever to be embroiled in a tough and challenging battle, advanced on his man, dropped his right, wound up a big left and woke up a little while later in the middle of the ring.
It was the equivalent of a grand master succumbing to fool’s mate in chess, a finish almost offensive in its preposterousness. Although Williams was a million miles away from where he ought to be, one could barely fathom that the contest had ended, even after Martinez had wheeled away in a mix of relief, surprise and jubilation and Williams’ prone figure had been flocked upon by the vultures at ringside.
Coming in, bookmakers were unable to split the pair. Media types were divided also, yet only over the matter of which man would triumph. Most were united as to how the contest would end, a decision victory after thirty six minutes of hard fighting and the first round showed why that had seemed smart logic. A bullish Williams (11st, 2lbs) thumbed his nose at conventional wisdom which had suggested he would take a more educated tack this time around, commanding centre ring before launching telescopic lefts and rights at the more pensive Martinez (11st 5 ½lbs). “Maravilla” quickly set up his feints, cleverly nipping inside to fire into Williams’ body whilst leaning away from his opponent’s left as he glided out of range.
Decked out in gaudy yellow, Williams seemed intent on rushing into his man in order to blast away with short combinations, totally neglecting the glaring physical advantages at his disposal. With a minute and a half left in the round, Martinez dusted off the left hand shot he’d end the fight with, this one whistling across “The Punisher’s” right cheek. The Argentinean followed up with a fuselage of lefts against the ropes, yet Williams refused to acknowledge them, so absorbed was he in landing heavy punches. A good closing thirty seconds from the challenger left scoring open to debate.
The pair butted into one another as the second began, Williams looking to dig in shots from underneath, Martinez over the top. With 58 seconds in the bag Martinez lured his man onto a hellacious left hand, one which appeared to have been brought from behind the champion’s back and over his shoulder. It hit its mark with a deadening thud, like a shovel coming to bear on injured game. Martinez hoisted his right hand aloft in full knowledge that the contest was at an end, leaping up onto the ropes in a corner as referee Earl Morton went through the motions of counting out the stricken loser.
It was a titanic stoppage, punishment for what had appeared reckless tactics. Williams’ trainer George Peterson later explained that they had no option but to fight in such a manner, yet one has to wonder. It was an utterly arresting manner in which to begin a middleweight title reign for Martinez, an imperious demolition job punctuated with a knockout of the year front runner for good measure. Williams can come again, generally this method of being rendered unconscious usually allows the sufferer to regroup far more readily than if they’d fought through repeated spells of fog (as callous as that sounds).
Martinez’s renaissance in 2010 has been a sight to behold. A victim of boxing’s more demotivating aspects last annum, his refusal to succumb is the stuff of cheap fiction. Middleweight king, fighter of the year, score settled. That’s the way to do it.
*Photo credit: Marty Rosengarten
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