The Punisher returns on Saturday night from the Pechanga Resort & Casino     by: Tom Dickey    

     Boxing's most avoided fighter Paul "The Punisher" Williams will step back into the ring this Saturday night to defend his WBO welterweight title for the first time against Carlos "El Indio" Quintana. The Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California will host the show and HBO's Boxing After Dark will broadcast it.

     Paul Williams has quickly gone from major prospect to world champion. His transformation became complete last July when he knocked off Antonio Margarito for the WBO crown and moved his untarnished record to 33-0 with 24 KOs. Unfortunately, the win over Margarito also brought about the conclusion that Williams is definitely boxing's most avoided fighter. His height and southpaw style have discouraged many fighters from wanting to tangle with him.

    Even though he resides in a loaded division, fights have been hard to come by for Williams. Fellow champ Kermit Cintron chose to fight Margarito instead of Williams. While others have followed Cintron's path, Carlos Quintana will try to play the giant killer again. Quintana, a fellow southpaw, is 24-1 with 19 KOs, with his only loss coming at the hands of Miguel Cotto. Quintana may be best known for upsetting Joel Julio, when Julio was 27-0 and considered one of the best prospects in the world. 'El Indio"  will look to make another splash on Saturday night against Williams.

    The co-feature on HBO will showcase one of the top prospects on the planet, Andre Berto, who will be taking on Germany's Michel Trabant in a 10 round bout. Berto (20-0, 17 KOs) of Winter Haven, Florida, is coming off impressive wins over Cosme Rivera and David Estrada in his last fights and is looking at a title shot soon. Meanwhile, Michel Trabant of Germany will be making his first appearance in the United States. Trabant (43-2-1 19 KOs) is probably best known for losing a close decision to Jose Rivera for the WBA welterweight title 2 years ago. He will be gunning for an upset on a big stage come Saturday night.

    Also on the card will be rising heavyweight sensation Chris Arreola of Riverside, California taking on veteran Cliff Couser. Arreola (22-0, 20 KOs) has been on a roll with wins over Damien Wills, Malcolm Tann and Thomas Hayes,   (26-2, 18 KOs). He is quickly moving up the heavyweight ladder and will look to add another name to his résumé on Saturday night. Arreola will take on Cliff Couser (26-14-2, 14 KOs), who is best known for his resemblance to Mike Tyson. Couser has been in the ring with big names like Tony Thompson, Vladimir Virchis, Michael Moorer, Clifford Etienne, and a win over Monte Barrett.

     Also on Saturday's card will be an intriguing 6 round super welterweight bout. The combatants will be Raymond Briggs Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs) of Jersey City, New Jersey and James Kindell (6-1, 5 KOs) of Tulare, California.

     The card is promoted by Goossen-Tutor Promotions and will take place at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California on Saturday night, February 9th.

2-4-2008