But let's talk here and limit our discussion to that supposed proposed fight between the two in their best prime- in 2008-2009-- -when Pacquiao was the undisputed P4P champion and holder of the WBO welterweight crown and William was traipsing between the welterweights and the junior middleweights because he was the most avoided fighter of the time.
At that space of time, Pacquiao was on an astounding five fight winning roll capturing the WBC junior lightweight, WBC lightweight, IBO/Ring junior welterweight and the WBO welterweight titles over Juan Manuel Marquez (SD 12 ), David Diaz (KO 8 ), Ricky Hatton (KO 2) and Miguel Cotto (TKO 12 ) sandwiched by a signal TKO 8 win over Oscar de la Hoya.
Williams on the other hand had just bounced back from a close controversial loss to Carlos Quintana early in 2008 to post his own five-fight winning streak over Qunitana to regain the WBO welterweight title he won in 2007 over Antonio Margarito; Andy Koll (TKO 1), Verno Philips (TKO8) for the WBO junior middleweight title and Winky Wright (UD 12) and Sergio Martinez (UD 12 ) in defense of that 154 lbs. title. by the end of 2009.
We can see that both have had very impressive record and winning streak during the period which made that proposed fight--- that never happened--- a very attractive proposition.
I think that fight could have happened sometime in early 2010 at the catch weight of 149-150 lbs. with the WBO welterweight and junior middleweight titles at stake.
Had that happened, I think Pacquiao would have had very hard time surmounting Wiliam's eight inches height ( 6-2 to 5-6) and 12 inches (79-67 ) reach advantages apart from the American's slick fighting style and equally voluminous punching. Note that William was coming off wins over Wright and Martinez, both of whom were bigger than the Filipino. Pacquiao was coming off wins over Hatton and Cotto who were only slightly bigger than him. Manny has yet to fight a foe as big and dangerous as Williams.
I think Williams would have taken full advantage of his size and length to frustrate Pacquiao, peppering and busting him up as he comes in and tying him up whenever he gets dangerously near. Pacquiao is susceptible to cuts especially around the eyes and most likely, he would have suffered cuts which would affect his performance. Up to that time, Willaims had fought and been bullied by far bigger and stronger foes as Tony Margarito, Carlos Quintana and Sergio Martinez so it does not figure that he would have had much problem against the smaller though equally powerful Pacquiao.
Willaims by close but unanimous decision with margins of between two and three points on the scorecards.
I say Williams. Too much of a height and reach advantage for Pacquiao to overcome. Even though Williams fought a lot on the inside, I think he'd use that long reach to keep Pac at bay and he'd nail Pac coming in. Williams at 147 threw a ton of punches per round and he'd just keep Pac too much on the defensive. Williams by a close UD.
paul williams
Ritz,
I think that Williams was the more complete fighter. Given all of his attributes height, reach and better ring generalship I think that this would cause major, major problems for Manny. Manny got waxed by Marquez and it's my opinion that Marquez beat Manny in all three of their bouts before that plus he has a loss to Morales. Who dominated Williams?
When Sergio caught Williams it was in my opinion a "Lucky" punch Paul got sloppy and caught, I don't see Manny being as big as puncher as Sergio and this too would cause him problems. Manny as proven by his past fights doesn't have the right mindset when he gets hit with solid shots, he gets angry and often times invites his opponent to exchange with him showing he can take it. This would lead right into Paul's advantages straight stiff shots right down the middle. I think that Williams would hurt Manny often and stop him before the 8th round.
Manny would never be in this fight, he would be controlled from a distance and held off by the straighter more accurate shots by a much bigger and stronger Williams. Good fight though.
Now for anyone that says Manny you are kidding yourself!!! Manny got KO'd by a guy who weighs 147 lbs & wasn't considered a hard puncher.
Williams would have used his jab he is 6'2: & everntually would have wore Manny down by round 6 & Ko'd him the same way Marquez did. This is a total mismatch!!! Williams was fighting Middleweights & the only guy that beat him was Martinez.
Easy win for Paul Williams!!!
Paul Williams TKO round 8 to Strong and same speed
man, pwill is 6'2....????
when pwill was at welter in 2008, pac was still a featherweight...
floyd had to demand a catchweight against a shorter canelo,
what more pac, at light midweight he fights at 145lbs...
what happens to pwill if pac demands a 150lbs catchweight???
