Williams is getting schooled

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 19 Apr 2004, 09:46

Martinez is one fighter, and a very good one at that. Williams shouldn't be looking to retire solely on the back of the fact that he can't get past him. However, there are evidently problems with southpaws that he doesn't really have time to work on, so Williams, who looked very good against that Ghanaian feller last time out, still has a future if he wants it, I reckon.

Maybe I'm being suckered by the fact that I really want him to do well, but there are plenty of guys who he'd still beat. But he is getting older and he did just get a bit of a beating.

I thought Martinez was very, very good. I like him a lot. I also noticed his size. But it was his speed and accuracy that I was really impressed with. Great jab as well. He's improving each time I see him (although admittedly that's only three or four times). He'd be a handful for anyone at light middle.

Size differential wasn't as marked as Elliott - Magee, mind. Magee was supposed to be the bigger man and he looked like an undernourished street urchin compared to Elliott.

Lefthookhappy19 · Post by **Lefthookhappy19** » 19 Apr 2004, 21:31

Manny Pacquiao and Naz are two other exciting southpaws.

DIRT SUGAR · Post by **DIRT SUGAR** » 20 Apr 2004, 08:25

RW's a good frontrunner and when he's allowed to work can look impressive. However, someone with quick feet and who doesn't let him work in his comfort zone can do him over like Martinez did. Richard's never been one for upping the pace and goes a bit quiet when his opponents step it up (ie Shannan Taylor before he tired). Plus, he's never been the quickest on his feet and he just didn't get to grips with Martinez movement at all. Shame as he seems a nice guy, but as we all know, that counts for nothing once the bell goes.

To beat Martinez you've got to step in beat him to the punch. If you miss, take another step in and also, Martinez drops his hands alot but no-one takes that extra step towards him. Yes he's quick, but a fit, strong l-middle who's committed to going forwards and cutting him off, not just following him around, can beat him. Plus, why didn't Williams try and move backwards himself after a couple of rounds and beckon Martinez to get on the front foot? That always makes me smile when I see someone caught up in trying to bustle forward. I mean, if you can't catch him, why not try and make him catch you. I'd have got on my toes and started dancing. Not sure if it would have worked, but worth a try surely?

Like Calzaghe, Martinez uses bursts of punches to get to his man, then steps off and regroups. You need to do the same to him.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 20 Apr 2004, 13:11

DIRT SUGAR wrote:RW's a good frontrunner and when he's allowed to work can look impressive. However, someone with quick feet and who doesn't let him work in his comfort zone can do him over like Martinez did. Richard's never been one for upping the pace and goes a bit quiet when his opponents step it up (ie Shannan Taylor before he tired). Plus, he's never been the quickest on his feet and he just didn't get to grips with Martinez movement at all. Shame as he seems a nice guy, but as we all know, that counts for nothing once the bell goes.

To beat Martinez you've got to step in beat him to the punch. If you miss, take another step in and also, Martinez drops his hands alot but no-one takes that extra step towards him. Yes he's quick, but a fit, strong l-middle who's committed to going forwards and cutting him off, not just following him around, can beat him. Plus, why didn't Williams try and move backwards himself after a couple of rounds and beckon Martinez to get on the front foot? That always makes me smile when I see someone caught up in trying to bustle forward. I mean, if you can't catch him, why not try and make him catch you. I'd have got on my toes and started dancing. Not sure if it would have worked, but worth a try surely?

Like Calzaghe, Martinez uses bursts of punches to get to his man, then steps off and regroups. You need to do the same to him.

Credit where credit is due, dirt..

RW battered Taylor because he caught up with him with big head shots not because Taylor was tired !..

It was the fourth round !

Re: Martinez - RW did try nmoving back at times to try and lure him in but SM is very very quick with hands and feet..

RW is a very good fighter and he lost to another very good fighter..

No shame in that - styles make fights...

Like everyone - I hate when one of my fav fighters loses and it is hard to know what to say but I would say RW did his best and lost due to the fact the styles of martinez is a nightmare to deal with and he was the better man on the 17th.

One thing to lose to a World Class fighter than to slip up against an average fighter.

RW lost nothing in defeat because he fought a World Class Fighter - I have watched the fight a few times, dirt.

RW could not deal with the style of Martinez but bet you few if any in the World could beat RW 7 rounds out of 9.

Who else has Martinez's style in the 154 division ?... no one !.

Styles - that was the problem - the style !

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 20 Apr 2004, 13:59

I think hindsight is a wonderfull thing, during the first fight I notice just how slow Williams' handspeed is for a fringe world class operator (which he still is). I think Williams would also have problems with guys who can beat him to the punch (as all fighters do) and unfortunately he's in a devision with alot of guys with significantly faster hands (Martinez being one of them).

I think alot of the Light Middle's would do a number on Williams, because they are faster than him. There are some higher ranked fighters like McKart whose style would suit Williams, but not that many.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 20 Apr 2004, 16:26

stujones wrote:I think hindsight is a wonderfull thing, during the first fight I notice just how slow Williams' handspeed is for a fringe world class operator (which he still is). I think Williams would also have problems with guys who can beat him to the punch (as all fighters do) and unfortunately he's in a devision with alot of guys with significantly faster hands (Martinez being one of them).

I think alot of the Light Middle's would do a number on Williams, because they are faster than him. There are some higher ranked fighters like McKart whose style would suit Williams, but not that many.

Be good to see him back - he still is a very good fighter...