Williams, Arreola Speak

Paul “The Punisher” Williams (36-1, 26 KOs) scored an eight round TKO over 39-year-old three-time champion Verno Phillips (42-11-1, 21 KOs) to claim the vacant WBO interim 154lb title on Saturday night at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. 

After Phillips received numerous punches with no response, the ring doctor stopped the bout after eight rounds due to the punishment administered by Williams. 
  
“I came to fight, I have been doing this since 1988 I think two more fights and I am done,” stated Phillips. “It’s been over 20 years since anyone stopped me at the stool.” 
  
Paul Williams, with blood dripping over his right eye since the first round due to an unintentional clash of heads, still dominated the fight. 
  
“He is a tough guy, but I had to be in control,” said the former welterweight king. “I hope you enjoyed my performance, I am willing to fight anyone.” Promoter Dan Goossen interrupted “We wanted to fight Margarito, we offered $4 Million dollars and Bob Arum turned it down.” 
  
During the post fight conference, copies of the offer made to Top Rank by Goossen Tutor Promotions to face Paul Williams were distributed.
  
“Now Margarito has agreed to fight Shane Mosley for close to two million dollars, less than the offer to challenge Williams,” said Dan Goossen. “For the betterment of our sport, the fans, the networks and especially the fighters, our sport needs to have the best fighting the best.” 
  
Dated August 05, 2008 a response from Top Rank to Goossen Tutor Boxing stated 
 “after the terrible experience I was subjected to by Paul Williams, his camp, and advisor in connection with a Pavlik fight, I have absolutely no intention whatsoever to be involved in any fight with Mr. Williams. Accordingly your proposal is in all respect rejected and I would request that you do not contact me again regarding Mr. Williams.” Signed by Bob Arum. 
  
“The question remains,” stated Goossen “do you believe Bob did the right thing to turn down our 4 million dollar offer and now leaving millions on the table to fight an opponent ten years older than Williams and not considered to be in his prime?” 
    
In an IBF eliminator for the #2 position, unbeaten heavyweight Cristobal Arreola (26-0, 23 KOs) scored a comeback third round TKO over Travis Walker (28-2-1, 22 KOs). 
  
“I love to fight, I am willing to fight 4-5 times a year,” said Arreola. “I didn’t throw a whole lot of punches in the first round because I wanted to see how he fights and how hard he hits.” 
  
” I was trying to find his weak points,” Arreola continued by saying, “he freaking hits hard, I had to take a knee, but I regained and came back. I am willing to fight anyone; I am willing to fly to Germany to take on Klitschko, I am ready.” The bout was for the NABF and WBC Continental Americas belts. 
  
The press conference ended with Paul Williams saying he might be back early May, Williams was then taken away as a plastic surgeon was waiting for him. Photos by Raymond Rodriguez