I recently had the honour to put my questions to former world champion Paul Williams who holds an impressive record of 41 wins and just two losses.

 

Me: Hi Paul, thanks once again for agreeing to answer my questions. Standing at 6ft 1 with a reach of 79 inches and still managing to be a welterweight is something truly remarkable. This would give you clear advantages against someone like Floyd Mayweather who seems unbeatable. How would you have looked to fight him?

Paul: Well first things first I have to give the king of boxing (Mayweather) his respect, but if we had to step into the ring I was going to give him the time of his life and he knows that. I would have to come into that fight throwing 100 plus punches a round and never backing down.

 

Me: Having faced the likes of Sergio Martinez, Erislandy Lara, Kermit Cintron, Antonio Margarito, Winky Wright and many others can I get your opinion on who your toughest opponent was?

Paul: Antonio Margarito was the fight of all fights for me. We went at it for those 12 rounds. He hit like a big mack truck doing 120 LOL.

 

Me: When growing up what boxers did you look up and who is your favourite boxer of all time and why?

 

Paul: When I was a kid I liked Mike Tyson and Sugar Ray.

 

 

Me: Two weeks after agreeing to a mega fight with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in 2012 you we're involved in a Motorcycle accident which has left you in a wheelchair. Naturally this has completely changed your life and for those who don't know can you tell me what you do with yourself now that you aren't boxing?
 

Paul: Well I'm taking one day at a time. Being a father to my kids. I do a little real estate. You know I try to keep myself busy.

 

 

Me: If you hadn't suffered your accident and you had gone on to face Canelo how do you think the fight would have ended?

 

Paul: Canelo wasn't ready for me. I was in the best shape of my life. I was ready for war and I was in the prime of my career. I had me with a TKO in round seven over Canelo.

 

Me: On your Paul Williams Foundation website http://www.paulthepunisher.com/ , the Showtime interview with Jim Gray is on the homepage. During the interview you talk about being able to walk again and maybe even fighting again one day. Can you explain to us how that would be possible with you currently being in a wheelchair?
 

Paul: Well I will never give up on walking. There is a lot of different research in the world that is getting people like myself back on our feet. I leave that part in the good hands of the doctors.

Please go and checkout teamfighttowalk.com for what I'm looking forward to getting me and a lot of others back on our feet real soon.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfJUnt8k3is

Me: Is there anything that you would like to say to your fans?

 

Paul: Thanks to all the boxing fans for all the love and support. I started my new Paul Williams Foundation in 2014 and I plan to travel the country speaking to at risk youths as well as athletes to show that a positive attitude can take you places you've never dreamed of.

Doing motivational speaking at no charge enables others to see their true potential to make their dreams come true, despite the punches life throws at you.

I'm just trying to change one life, one day at a time. I now have to fight for others outside of the ring. Boxing will always be a part of me. paulthepunisher.com

For booking me to come out and speak please call Corey at 803-406-9274

 

Me: Finally, I would just like to say that your positive attitude and mentality to your situation is truly remarkable and it is a real honour to get to put my questions to not only a fantastic boxer but to a truly inspirational individual. Thank you and I wish you all the best in the future from the bottom of my heart.

 

Having watched the interview with Jim Gray and now having had the opportunity to have my questions answered by Paul, I came away inspired.

This man was not only a very good boxer but he has shown himself to be a great man who is refusing to let the life-changing circumstances that face him get him down.

His attitude is refreshing and pure and simply inspirational. Paul Williams I salute you as a truly great man!