Paul Williams was wasting his talent before his accident...

We all know Paul Williams' boxing career has at the very least came to a screeching halt for the time being with his bruised spinal cord. With that said however, this was a guy who I think could have been so much better when he was boxing, why didn't he take advantage of all his great physical attributes?

This was a guy who was 6'2, could comfortably make 147, had a 79 inch reach (even longer than Hearns,) could throw 100+ punches a round, and who had a tremendous chin (that shot Martinez landed would have knocked out anyone at that weight.)

Hearns used his height very well, and showed how to make it a complete mismatch in there. Hearns never had a great chin like Williams, yet was able to be very successful, because just like Wlad, he used his height to stay away from danger. Admittedly, Williams does not have the power of Hearns, but he does have a much better chin.

So what do you think Williams could have became had someone actually trained him correctly to use his tremendous advantages in height and reach? Williams was an inside fighter who never fought tall, he actually disadvantaged himself because his height made him easier to hit inside, and his long arms are not an asset on the inside. Had he learned to be a true boxer who used his height correctly, I think he could have beat anyone at 147. He could dictate the fight with his amazing reach, if he developed a great jab, he'd be near unstoppable. He always had the ability to take a great punch if someone did clock him too... Imagine if he knew how to use his height, reach etc. to put smart pressure on his opponents, how good do you think he could have became?

 

Stop being ignorant, I never put it in any such connotation. I clearly was referencing his accident, but didn't get too much into the details, because that's not what this thread is about.

 

Thought I'd mention the "elephant in the room," so to speak, before Captain Obvious had to point it out, you know?

 

Amazing to think what could have been. Mayweather for example is considered to have a very long reach for Welterweight at 72 inches, yet Paul Williams had a 79 inch reach. He'd literally have about a 8 to 12 inch reach advantage, sometimes even more, against nearly everyone in the division. Combine that with his incredible height, he'd of been a stylistic nightmare for ANYONE had he refined his boxing skills, and learned to take full advantage of his rare physical attributes.