One of the most anticpated fights of the year tonight...

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Martinez and Williams face off before their hotly anticipated rematch in Atlantic City


On December 5, 2009, Sergio Martinez, 45-2-2, 24 KO’s, faced Paul Williams, 39-1, 27 KO’s, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The first round set the precedent for what was to come over the next half hour. Each man was dropped in the opening stanza, with back and forth action that proceeded throughout the remainder of the fight. They fought a very tough and close fight. When all was said and done the ringside judges favored Williams, scoring the bout 114-114, 115-113, and a ridiculously wide margin of 119-110.
Now the pair are set to fight tomorrow night for the WBC middleweight titles Martinez won from Kelly Pavlik in April. The first fight was a modern classic, and boxing fans across the world are expecting much of the same this time around. One problem with the rematch is the 157 pound catchweight for the 160 pound crown, but neither fighter has made an issue of it. Martinez gave his thoughts on the catchweight: “They wanted the catchweight. he didn’t want to fight me again, so they brought up a max weight of 158 pounds. It was a concession I had to make to make the fight happen.” Williams’ trainer, George Peterson gave an explanation for requesting the catchweight, “We asked for it because Paul was training for a fight at 147 pounds.” In the months leading up to November 20th, Williams verbally attacked unbeaten welterweight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in hopes of landing a fight with him. He has also been trying to secure a bout with Manny Pacquiao.

read more at http://www.undisputedfightmag.com/2010/11/20/martinezwilliams-ii-preview/