Defending WBC middleweight champ Sergio Martinez not only stunned the viewer in last night's defense against Paul “Punisher” Williams, but abruptly put his rival to sleep with a single power left hand flush on the kisser.

Some described the delivery as a left-hook … but the bomb was more a looping left hand from the southpaw stance that found the jaw. Either way, it stopped Williams in his tracks before he dropped face first to the canvas.

Took something like a full minute before Williams regained consciousness - and the expectations of a repeat full route barn burner quickly went down the proverbial drain - as in KO2 at 1:10 seconds.

Both promised this one would match the first meeting that was a scorcher from start to finish - Williams had claimed that one by majority decision - and this one began with both fighters going for the promised repeat.

Williams darted from his corner at the start of stanza two like a Derby favorite at the rail … this, following an action opening round, that saw both fighters having their moments - on my sheet I gave that one to Williams.

But that was it - still, the talk has begun for a possible tie-breaker - no surprise here - the today promoter never leaves home without the credit card but has no problem checking the conscience before doing the negotiation thing. 

Post Scripts: Martinez (46-2-2, 25 KOs) ~  age 35 - has been quoted calling it a career after 2-3 more kept appointments. Smart move, although has yet to show signs of pugilistic aging. No surprise the Pac-Man name has already surfaced.

                    Williams (39-2, 27 KOs) ~ age 29 - equally tough with heart as big as Martinez - what little we saw last noche, was an over confident Williams becoming careless and tosses defense out the window - thus never sees the incoming bomb that closed the show. Says here, much like MacArthur’s WW2 quote, he too shall return.

HBO commentator trio - Lead man Papa no problem - Emanuel Steward always a solid listen - Kellerman more slap stick than legitimate commentator. Actually asked Williams “Wot Happened?”

On that note, I ask,  where have you gone Larry Merchant? When paired with Steward HBO has the best duo working a fight in the business.

Referee Earl Morton - this fraud in no more than four minutes and ten seconds gave a clinic on how not to work a fight.

 

GEL