WINKY WRIGHT AND PAUL WILLIAMS SET TO BATTLE

 AT MANDALAY BAY ON APRIL 11

HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING TO TELEVISE 

MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT

Tickets on Sale Friday, February 13!

LOS ANGELES, February 12 What happens when two of boxing’s most feared superstars can’t find anyone willing to step up and face them?  They fight each other.  On Saturday, April 11th, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, former Junior Middleweight World Champion Winky Wright will look to stop the meteoric rise of two-division World Champion Paul “The Punisher” Williams in a 12 round middleweight bout that is destined to land the winner on the list of boxing’s best, pound-for-pound.
 

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $150, $100 and $50 go on sale Friday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino).  Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 745-3000.  Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

“I’m excited to see these two great fighters squaring off at Mandalay Bay on April 11th,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.  “I know that when two great champions like Winky and Paul fight each other, they are always determined to deliver the types of performances that will thrill fight fans.”

“It’s an exciting time for our sport,” said Dan Goossen, President of Goossen Tutor Promotions.  “Paul Williams, the "Most Feared Fighter in the World" against Winky Wright, the "Most Avoided Fighter in the World" showing the world there are no challenges that won't be accepted by real champions.  This is the type of fight that will showcase Paul's size, skills and champion's heart which he'll need against the man that has virtually beaten every world champion he has faced."

“I have to give credit to Paul for stepping up to the plate, it's about time someone did...,” said Chris Lighty, CEO of Winky Promotions.  “We’re excited to get Winky back in the ring and pleased that the time is now here.  I'm glad we could make this happen.  Paul may be younger, but Wink definitely wants it more.” 

Wright vs. Williams, a 12 round middleweight bout which is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Goossen Tutor Promotions and Winky Promotions, will air live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00pm ET / 7:00pm PT.

“These are clearly two of the most avoided fighters in boxing over the last decade and for good reason because they are two of the best,” said Kery Davis, senior vice president HBO Sports.  “This should be a tremendous match up of will and skill.”

The name of St. Petersburg, Florida’s Winky Wright (51-4-1, 25 KOs) has signified excellence between the ropes for nearly two decades.  A former Undisputed Junior Middleweight World Champion who made nine successful defenses of his crown, Wright truly broke through on the world scene in 2004 with back-to-back wins over Sugar Shane Mosley.  Not one to rest on his laurels, he moved up to middleweight in 2005 and defeated Puerto Rican superstar Felix “Tito” Trinidad.  Although he would suffer a decision loss to Bernard Hopkins in 2007, the 37-year-old southpaw is rested, determined and hungrier than ever for his April 11th showdown with Williams.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been this motivated and I can’t wait until the bell rings,” said Wright.  “Paul is one of the top young fighters in the game, but he hasn’t seen what I’ve seen or done what I’ve done.  This is my time to shine and I won’t let this young fighter steal my spotlight.”

Despite the fact that he’s only 27 years old, Augusta, Georgia’s Paul Williams (36-1, 27 KOs) has done more in eight years in the pro ring than most have done in an entire career.  Owner of world titles at welterweight and junior middleweight, Williams is now chasing after glory at middleweight.  If his past wins over Antonio Margarito, Carlos Quintana, Sharmba Mitchell and Vernon Phillips are any indication, the 160-pound weight class had better watch out for “The Punisher.”

“I am glad that the fight is on,” said Williams.  “This fight has got a big name.  Wright has taken the titles from Champions and I’d love to take his reputation.  That would add to my legacy.  All I know is that everyone says he has got a good defense and nice jab but that doesn’t matter to me.  I’m going to get mine in.  I’m gonna whoop him and get in there.”

2-13-2009