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04/06/2008 Archived Entry: "Aaron Williams: Simply 'AWESOME' on ESPN2!"
Aaron Williams: Simply 'AWESOME' on ESPN2!
Press Release
Photo by Emily Harney/Team CES
Williams raises his gloved fists in victory as he stands over Purlette
PROVIDENCE, RI--Sensational cruiserweight prospect, “Awesome” Aaron Williams lived-up to his moniker as he annihilated former NABO champion, Andre Purlette in two rounds on ESPN2’s “Friday Nights.”
Williams, now 17-0 with 12 KO’s, was “technically brilliant”, as one writer put it, using superior hand-speed, footwork and boxing skill that belie his 21 years. If Williams and his team were looking to make a statement on national television, they did so in impressive fashion.
Purlette came at Williams from the opening bell, in an attempt to engage the younger fighter into a toe-to-toe slugfest. Williams, using footwork, reminiscent of one of his idols – Jersey Joe Wolcott -, made Purlette miss and made him pay.
Near the end of round two, with his back against the ropes, Williams rolled with a Purlette right hand, a la James Toney and Floyd Mayweather Jr., and fired a hard right of his own that stunned Purlette. Williams quickly fired two more right hands that found their mark and dropped Purlette.
Purlette beat the count, only to find himself on the receiving end of a savage salvo of punches to his head and body. As Purlette staggered in retreat, referee Dick Flaherty called an end to the carnage at 2:50 of the second round.
“That move I did that stopped him,” Williams said, recalling the combination he used to drop Purlette, “was something I learned from my idol, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. I rolled with his right hand and came back with three of my own.”
It was thought by many boxing insiders, scribes and pundits, that the 21 year old out of Las Vegas, NV with only 17 pro fights was getting in over his head against a 42-fight, hard hitting veteran in Andre Purlette.
Purlette’s only losses were to heavyweights and he has a victory over world rated Darnell Wilson, who incidentally, is fighting for the WBA cruiserweight strap in May.
Williams trainer, and former World Light Heavyweight Champion, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, had this assessment of his young charge: “Aaron boxed beautifully. He worked hard for eight weeks and tonight it showed. I was never worried about Purlette, I knew Aaron was going to do his thing and get him out of there.”
Regarding Williams future, Muhammad said, “Aaron is a young man and we’re not rushing him. We’ll bring him along the right way, fighting guys who are a better than the last opponent.”
Williams managers, Albert Falcon and Patrick Doljanin know the young cruiserweight has a bright future.
“We want to thank our team, for we think there is none better in the game,” commented co-managers, Falcon and Doljanin. We also want to give our deepest thanks to the great Eddie Muhammad. Aaron has improved exponentially under Eddie’s guise.”
“Additionally, I we want to thank our outstanding conditioning coach, Axel Murillo and the newest addition to Team Williams, cut man extraordinaire, Danny Milano. This entire gentleman made this outstanding performance possible, along with our promoter, Jimmy Burchfield and the great people at CES.”
Doljanin added, “Special thanks to Fritz and Matt at Everlast for their support and the outstanding job they did in making Aaron look like a champ. Aaron could have walked down the red carpet in those sharp Everlast trunks and robe.”
