By Sergio Martinez

On July 14, 2007, HBO brings us a tripleheader featuring three completely different pugs in three completely different fights as Antonio “Tony” Margarito, Kermit “Killer” Cintron, and Arturo “Thunder” Gatti all will lace up their guns with leather and do battle.

 

Each separate fight possesses many intriguing possibilities as every one of the three big name combatants featured on the card has many questions that the fight community at large wants answered. 

 

It will be interesting to see if the opponents in the opposing corners will be able to pose the necessary inquiries so that the fight world may have a clearer picture once all is said and done. 

 

Arturo “Thunder” Gatti vs. Alfonso Gomez:

 

Let us start with the fight that appears to have more glitz and glamour than actual substance. Arturo “Thunder” Gatti makes his return to the squared-circle after his brutal defeat at the hands of Argentine journeyman, Carlos “Tata” Baldomir. 

 

That fight should have affirmed to all that for as much as we all still adore Arturo Gatti, the bells had tolled on his career. He is nothing more than a spent force that should really focus on his future health rather than a future fight. 

 

Still, the roar of the crowds and large amounts of money to be made seems to be just too much of an allure for the brave Italian-Canadian. So Gatti, years past his best days, heads back into the limelight and will probably give us another trademark blood-and-guts performance, leaving everyone wanting more. 

 

In the opposite corner that night, Arturo, long considered the most entertaining fighter of his generation, will face a man seen more as an “entertainer” than a real “fighter.” Contender series one star Alfonso Gomez gets to have his crack at the fighter known as the “Human Highlight Reel.” 

 

For many of my fellow boxing media colleagues and fans around the pugilistic globe, a decisive win over Gatti would legitimize Gomez as a real fighter and a true contender in the 147-pound division. 

 

This logic makes no sense to me as, no disrespect to “Thunder” who is one of my all-time favorite action fighters, but a Gomez victory would simply confirm that Arturo is completely gone and should move on with his life while he still seems to have all of his faculties in order. 

 

Still, you can bet the house that if Alfonso Gomez knocks Gatti out, most fight fans and media will endorse him as a legitimate threat to any-and-all of the top welterweights in the world. 

 

Hell even “The Ring” magazine, whose rating I consider to be bullsh*t, or at least as legitimate as yours and mine, will put Alfonso on its welterweight rankings and make ignoramuses like Max Kellerman say things like: “Gomez may still be untested, but he did knock out Gatti and The Ring Magazine has him (Gomez) ranked as one of its top- ten welterweights in the world. So that makes him a force to be reckoned with in my book.” 

 

Now, just for the record, I’m not saying that Alfonso Gomez is a terrible fighter or someone whom could not possibly rise from the Contender ashes and establish himself as a true power in the welterweight division. All I am referring to is the fact that, should the Mexican television star dramatically beat Arturo Gatti on July 14, one must still consider “Thunder’s” current state and standing as a viable world-class pug, and factor that reality in when assessing the validity of the reality star’s potential against top-tier fighters.

 

It will be interesting to see how this script writes itself out. Gomez may have youth on his side, but Arturo has been in the ring with legitimate fighters and, in his past, has reached the pinnacle of the sport. 

 

Will experience be the ultimate equalizer? 

 

We shall know soon enough.  

 

Kermit “Killer” Cintron vs. Walter Matthysse:

 

From Arturo Gatti who, regardless of his current physical state, still commands respect from everyone involved in boxing, I turn my attention to one of the sport’s recent satirical figures: Kermit “Killer” Cintron. 

 

Cintron, who is now the bastardized IBF 147-pound champion will make the first defense of a title he picked up in October of 2006 via sixth round technical knockout of unknown IBF top-rated welterweight, Mark “Poison” Suarez. 

 

It was a contest that boggled the mind as, for some odd reason, many considered Suarez a real threat and saw the Cintron win as a big thing; going as far as to call him a “champion.”  The only thing the “Killer” championed that night was the illegitimacy of many of the current so-called “title fights.”  Still, Cintron will make his ring walk on July 14 wearing a strap around his waist and he will be referred to as the “IBF welterweight champion of the world.”

 

Across from Kermit will stand the Argentine, Walter Dario Matthysse, best remembered as the crude banger whom absorbed a hellacious beating at the hands of young welterweight standout, Paul “Punisher” Williams. 

 

Although Matthysse has been on the cable network giant on a few occasions, he is still relatively unknown to the public at large.  Here are the things we do know about the Trelew, Chubut native who calls himself “El Terrible”: Matthysse showed a decent set of whiskers in his defeat at the hands of Williams as he was hit with every single shot thrown that night. 

 

He also showed a lot of heart, as the Argentine kept advancing on the “Punisher” even after getting picked off at will. The downside was that the fight also showed everyone the limitations and vulnerabilities of the Latin-American knockout artist.   

 

As Cintron has shown in the past, if he is able to simply overpower Matthysse, the PA resident should retain his so-called belt with ease.  But, should “El Terrible” be able to take the “Killer’s” shots and put constant heat with some heavy blows of his own, it is highly likely that Cintron will crumble and we will, again, be subjected to the sight of a fighter who calls himself the “Killer” crying in the arms of his corner-man. 

 

Hey, quitting has got to be easier the second time around. 

 

Antonio “Tony” Margarito vs. Paul “Punisher” Williams:

 

We finally get to the fight that most everyone believes should be as entertaining as it is interesting.  All the ingredients needed to be a well remembered contest are present, as the champion Antonio Margarito employs a very crude and violent style, while the young charge, Paul Williams, utilizes more of a boxer-puncher approach. In the past, when two styles of this nature combined, fight fans were usually very happy. 

 

Paul Williams is really the “X-Factor” if you will in that, although he does appear to be very talented, Williams has yet to face any fighter of true consequence, which leaves us with nothing more than speculation about how he may fair in this battle. 

 

Williams is a tall and lean 147-pounder who appears to be more of a middleweight in the making than the future of the welterweight division.  Paul is a southpaw buzz saw who can switch-hit with ease and seems to be just as comfortable from the conventional stance. 

 

Although not a one punch knockout artist, the “Punisher” does seem to possess heavy hands. Also, Williams always seems to be in phenomenal shape; he wears down his opponents with a frenzied punch output.

 

The looming question regarding the “Punisher” remains simply: Can Williams take it to that lean body of his? 

 

Although Paul faired well against Walter Matthysse who is known as a puncher, the Argentine never tested Williams’ ribcage, which is something that Margarito will play like a fiddle. Also in the Matthysse fight, the “Punisher” got caught with a lot of wild punches, which suggests that his defense is leaky; something of which I’m sure the opposing camp have taken into consideration during Margarito's training. 

 

The most unfortunate thing for Paul Williams is that in his first attempt at a world title, the Augusta, Georgia native has to dethrone boxing’s “Manimal” (my word for half man; half cannibal): Antonio “Tony” Margarito.

 

Margarito is the sports most unappreciated and disrespected champion operating today.  The Tijuana native has been the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion for over four years now, making a total of eight defenses during his reign. 

 

“Tony” has called out every top fighter between 147-and-154-pounds in the world but, for the most part, has been ignored like a redheaded stepchild and not given any credit for his willingness to take on all comers. 

 

When Margarito finally achieved a “big fight” by signing on to face Miguel Cotto, which was a well-deserved pay-day, many fans and media alike had the audacity to accuse the tough Mexican of being a coward, stating that “Tony” feared to face his mandatory challenger: Paul Williams. 

 

As laughable as this concept was, masses of our so-called “knowledgeable fans” were peddling this manure all over boxing chat rooms.  Of course Antonio, wanting to give the fans what they want, hoping for respect and craving acceptance, decided to make his mandatory defense. 

 

We now have boxing’s first official case of “Battered Wife Syndrome,” as no matter what transpires on the night, Margarito will not gain any respect from those fans whom unexplainably despise him and will probably just end up receiving more grief. 

 

Still, this fight’s simplicity is its beauty as the basic question is: Can Paul Williams hold off Antonio Margarito for twelve grueling rounds?   

 

We will know the answer soon enough. 

 

So, make sure that you get yourself to a television and tune in to HBO on July 14, 2007, as boxing fans will get the chance to see a beloved gladiator making his supposed final stand; a once heralded prospect continue his eternal search for redemption; and a grizzled veteran champion attempting to gain respect even after thirteen years of service.  I have said it before and I’ll say it again: Such is life and life is boxing.   

To Be Continued.

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