Quintana
Ends Williams’ Perfect Record "Paul's a good fighter but I knew I could win," Quintana said. "I think that he under estimated me. I think he looked past me. This fight was do or die for me today, and I was happy that I was able to do it." Quintana (25-1), who was in just his second fights since suffering the first loss of his career to Miguel Cotto in December of 2006, wasted no time and became the aggressor early on landing left and right hooks early. "I knew that coming out strong today was very important, and I was pleased that I was able to have a very strong first round," Quintana said. Williams (33-1) looked stronger in the middle rounds, but Quintana continued to get inside Williams reach and make the most of his punches, landing far more devastating punches then Williams. The late rounds went much the same as the rest of the fight, with Quintana getting the better of furious exchanges between the two fighters. Williams landed 20 percent of his punches, while Quintana landed 34 percent throwing almost 200 less punches. "I just couldn't get into my rhythm. I didn't over look him," Williams said. "Some days in boxing you have it, and some days you don't. Today I didn't have it." Williams said in the post fight press conference that his seven month layoff and his opponent being left handed were not the reason for his loss. "We were looking at the same thing, being both southpaws, and that seven months off just had nothing to do with it," Williams said. "Quintana just got things going early and I didn't. I just could not find that rhythm...I accept the fact I lost, and there is nothing else to say." Williams required 12 stitches after the fight for a cut that he suffered over the right eye in the eighth round. Quintana's promoter Lou Dibella said in the post fight press conference that he would give Williams a rematch. "Paul gave us a chance, and we would have no problems giving him a chance," Dibella said. All three judges scored the bout for Quintana, with one judge scoring the fight 115-113 and the other two 116-112. Top rated welterweight Andre Berto had no problems keeping his undefeated streak intact as he destroyed his German opponent, Michael Trabant, by stoppage at the end of the sixth round. Berto (21-0, 20 KOs) assaulted Trabant for all six rounds before the stoppage, landing 36 percent of his punches. Chris Arreola (23-0, 21 KOs), the No. 7 rated WBC heavyweight, also continued his undefeated streak as his easily took care of his opponent Cliff Couser (26-15-2) in the first round. Arreola forced Couser into the corner and unloaded, forcing his opponent to take a knee which ended the bout. It was the first time Arreola had taken to the ring since September of 2007. "Fights are never easy, and this was no exception," Arreola said. "I just caught him with a couple good shots. After five months of being out of the ring, I kind of hoped it would last a little longer." According to Arreola's promoter, Mark Goosen, Arreola will be scheduled to return to the ring sometime in March. "It
was great to come back. It was great to have my blood pumping; it
was great to be able to see my opponent in there. It was a great
feeling," Arreola said. |