Williams stops Mitchell, wants Margarito

By JE Grant

RENO --- Budding superstar Paul Williams dominated former champion Sharmba Mitchell stopping him in four rounds in a welterweight showdown.

The southpaw Williams, 31-0 (23 KOs), Aiken, South Carolina, 146 ½, used an enormous height and reach advantage to keep Mitchell out of position to throw combinations.

The 35 year-old Mitchell, 57-6 (31 KOs), Washington, D.C., 146 ½, and also a southpaw, was able to leap in with occasional chopping punches but regularly paid a swift price for the effort.

Williams poured on a high-volume attack to sweep the first two rounds. In round three a straight left from Williams sent Mitchell to the canvas. Mitchell spent much of the round attempting to fight back and but proving unable to staunch the tide.

In round four, the “Punisher” Williams honed his attack landing sharp punches right from the bell. Williams dropped Mitchell for the second time early in the round and effectively owned the fight from that point.

Williams’ relentless attack with both hands led to two more trips to the canvas before the former titlist Mitchell was counted out at 2:57.

Clearly Williams has earned a place among the top fighters of the division. He is currently rated number one by the WBO and is pushing for a date with its titlist Antonio Margarito.

With pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather set to face the true champion Carlos Baldomir, the Margarito match makes economic sense and presents the potential for a major showdown with Mayweather-Baldomir winner.

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In an undercard match, unbeaten heavyweight "Fast" Eddie Chambers moved to 27-0 (15 KOs) with a fifth round stoppage of unheralded Domonic Jenkins. The 24 year-old Chambers is one of a handful of American youngsters looking to retake the heavyweight title.