Monday, May 28, 2012
ATLANTA — In a decorated career in the boxing ring, Paul Williams picked up three belts and the nickname, "The Punisher." Now, Williams has a bigger fight ahead.
After a Sunday morning motorcycle crash near Atlanta, Williams is likely paralyzed from the waist down.
Manager George Peterson told News 12 that he’s in the hospital with a surgery scheduled for Wednesday. That surgery will help to stabilize the healthy upper half of his spine by putting a protective wall around it.
Peterson said Williams went off the road trying to avoid another vehicle and was thrown from his motorcycle. He’s conscious and alert in an Atlanta hospital, and his manager said his positive attitude is the same as it’s been throughout his 12-year pro boxing career.
Williams was scheduled to fight Saul "Canelo" Alvarez for the WBC Light Middleweight title Sept. 15 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. That announcement was made just last week.
The product of the Aiken Boxing Club has a career record of 41-2-0, with 27 knockouts. He’s the two-time holder of the WBO Welterweight championship and has held the WBO Light Middleweight belt once.
News 12 will keep you updated on any developments in this story.