By Mark Vester
It was recently revealed by Goossen-Tutor that Top Rank turned down a possible bout between WBO welterweight champion Paul Williams vs. WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. Williams was willing to move up by two weight classes to make the fight. Williams is seen as a welterweight freak due to his physical dimensions. He stands at a near 6'3 and has the reach of a heavyweight.
Talks between Dan Goossen and Bob Arum were said to have gone well, but the figures presented would have left Williams with barely any money in the bank.
A spokesperson for Goossen-Tutor issued the following statement on the Pavlik-Williams negotiations:
"Even though Williams has zero problem making 147 pounds, he and his trainer (George Petersen) were enthusiastic on the possibility of fighting Pavlik at 160 pounds and making a big fight for the industry. Discussions with Bob Arum were positive, except after all the substraction of dollars there was no money left for Williams. Williams gives up 13 pounds; gives up height; gives up strength; gives up power...oh and gives up money...the one thing he doesn't give up is his heart...that's why Pavlik/Top Rank said "No Deal"...maybe Paul should pick on someone his own size in the welterweight division...this is a classic example of why we call him the "most feared man in boxing" rather than "the most feared man in the welterweight division"...even the middleweights shy away."
"What happened to the real champions like Hagler, Leonard, Hearns, and Duran? They never looked to avoid a big challenge, especially when they had real champions willing to fight right in front of them? Maybe Bob doesn't want Williams to clear house at Top Rank. Margarito was first; Pavlik was Williams next choice to make his second Top Rank victim; and for the Trifecta its Cotto or bust (if he beats the man that Williams already beat in Margarito). Maybe Bob isn't so crazy after all?"
It was recently revealed by Goossen-Tutor that Top Rank turned down a possible bout between WBO welterweight champion Paul Williams vs. WBC/WBO middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik. Williams was willing to move up by two weight classes to make the fight. Williams is seen as a welterweight freak due to his physical dimensions. He stands at a near 6'3 and has the reach of a heavyweight.
Talks between Dan Goossen and Bob Arum were said to have gone well, but the figures presented would have left Williams with barely any money in the bank.
A spokesperson for Goossen-Tutor issued the following statement on the Pavlik-Williams negotiations:
"Even though Williams has zero problem making 147 pounds, he and his trainer (George Petersen) were enthusiastic on the possibility of fighting Pavlik at 160 pounds and making a big fight for the industry. Discussions with Bob Arum were positive, except after all the substraction of dollars there was no money left for Williams. Williams gives up 13 pounds; gives up height; gives up strength; gives up power...oh and gives up money...the one thing he doesn't give up is his heart...that's why Pavlik/Top Rank said "No Deal"...maybe Paul should pick on someone his own size in the welterweight division...this is a classic example of why we call him the "most feared man in boxing" rather than "the most feared man in the welterweight division"...even the middleweights shy away."
"What happened to the real champions like Hagler, Leonard, Hearns, and Duran? They never looked to avoid a big challenge, especially when they had real champions willing to fight right in front of them? Maybe Bob doesn't want Williams to clear house at Top Rank. Margarito was first; Pavlik was Williams next choice to make his second Top Rank victim; and for the Trifecta its Cotto or bust (if he beats the man that Williams already beat in Margarito). Maybe Bob isn't so crazy after all?"
