By Ryan Burton

 

BoxingScene.com recently caught up with former welterweight and junior middleweight champion Paul "The Punisher" Williams (40-2). The South Carolina resident faces Nobuhiro Ishida on February 18th on Showtime.

 

For years, Williams was known as the most avoided fighter in boxing.  Williams said that he would be satisfied with his career if he were to hang his gloves up now.  He said that with the help of his trainer/co-manager/father figure George Peterson - he invested his money wisely and doesn't need the sport for financial reasons and that he is continuing because he wants to make one more run at getting another title.

 

"With Mr. Peterson's help I have invested my money wisely.  I have invested in apartment buildings and houses," Williams stated.  "I am coming back to get the belts.  I have another run left in me. I want 3-4 more good fights. Its hard though. Guys say they are gonna fight then they pull out so its tough. I train hard and get ready and then they change opponents on me," he continued.

 

Looking back, Williams views his victory over Antonio Margarito as the biggest win of his career.  He also mentioned some of the other fights that stick out in his mind.

 

"The best win would be when I beat Margarito.  I beat Margarito in 07 when no one wanted to fight him. When he was real hot. Winky Wright and Sharmba Mitchell were two other guys who no one wanted to fight. I accomplished a lot. I'm a two division champion," Williams told BoxingScene.

 

Williams said that he doesn't have a preference as to which division he fights in. The past few years he has floated between the welterweight and middleweight division. He did however reveal two opponents that he would like to face in the future.

 

"I don't look past any of my opponents but (Julio) Chavez or (Saul) Alvarez are two guys who I really want. I leave that to my trainer and managers," Williams revealed.

 

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton