Contentious Majority Decision for Williams

Photo: Ed Mulholland

During Boxing After Dark’s two televised bouts from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday night, fight fans witnessed two of the hallmarks of boxing: A stunning knockout punch and a controversial decision.

Read the rest of the Williams-Lara Fight Recap at HBO.com

CompuBox Analysis: Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara

Saturday's match between Paul Williams and Erislandy Lara embody two classic boxing story lines. The first is Veteran versus Prospect, although the 29-year-old Williams is just 21 months older than Lara and the experience gap is mitigated by Lara's deep amateur background. The second is the Crossroads Fight in which both men are confronted with win-or-else scenarios given their most recent results (KO by 2 Sergio Martinez for Williams, D 10 Carlos Molina for Lara).

The brutal truth in matches like this is that one man will revitalize his career while dealing a severe -- and perhaps irreparable -- blow to his opponent's. Which fighter will assume which role? The CompuBox figures offer the following clues:

Read more Compubox analysis of Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara at HBO.com.

Fan Prediction: Paul Williams Will Find Redemption

Photo: Will HartThe last time we saw Paul Williams at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, he was falling face down onto the canvas, the victim of a vicious straight left hand from Sergio Martinez. Can he return to the scene of that devastating KO and retake his place near the top of the fight game? We asked you, and a whopping 82 percent responded that Erislandy Lara will be the first stop on Williams' comeback trail. Here's a sampling of what you had to say:

• I like Lara,but it may be too early for him to be in their with the likes of P. Williams ,especially coming off an upset K.O. loss. We will see,...but it may be too big for,Lara at this stage. – Phillip B. (Facebook)
• Paul Williams will win but he is going to struggle.  - @RegRoundTree (Twitter)
• I believe Williams has not recovered from the KO by Martinez yet.. That was brutal! – Mae A.(Facebook)
• Lara is gonna get PUNISHED by Paul!!! Williams by UD – Karl J. (Facebook)
• Gotta go with Paul on this 1.His freak loss to Martinez doesn't reflect his true greatness.I got Paul 4 the win. - @GoldenCappedPen (Twitter)
• This is a huge step up for Lara.  Before suffering a one punch KO, P-Dizzle was considered an elite fighter.  Lara is basically still a prospect who suffered with C Class competition.  His amatuer pedigree is as good as it gets.  So this will be a true test as to whether he's the goods.  Hopefully Dizzle doesn't have lingering effects from as devastating a KO as I've seen.  Should be a solid matchup.- Hit King  (HBO.com)
• Lara by decision. PWill's constant punching is just the medicine for an accurate Lara who too often doesn't let his hands go. - @oldstylin (Twitter)
• P. Williams gon take it back to basics, stay active and keep Lara at bay. UD Paul. – Derek C. (Facebook)

Big Stakes for Two Fighters

By Nat Gottlieb

Of the two, Williams’ fall from grace was far more dramatic. One second he was the aggressor and building up points, the next he was out cold on his back, the victim of a Sergio Martinez left hook to the head that he never saw coming.

Lara, a Cuban defector and 2005 amateur world champion, was steamrolling his way to the top, having beaten all 15 of his opponents, including the last four by first round knockouts. Then he took on rugged Mexican fighter, John Molina, whom he was supposed to beat, but narrowly escaped with a draw. What was most surprising was the lackluster effort by the normally aggressive Cuban, who seemed content for long stretches to let his opponent dictate the pace. When both fighters’ arms were raised at the end, suddenly Lara didn’t look like the sure bet to be world champion so many predicted he’d be.

Read the rest of the Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara Fight Overview on HBO.com.