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WILLIAMS STOPPED IN CHICAGO
December 21, 2011
Photo's and Story By Jesse Kelley

 

This past Friday night in Chicago was supposed to be a second beginning for the boxing career of Phil "The Drill" Williams. As Williams prepared to head out to the Windy City to fight, boxing fans and figures back home were largely in agreement that this was a prime opportunity for the "old" Drill to resurface. Positive text messages and phone calls including some from former ring rivals of Williams was further proof of that. Williams had six weeks to ready himself to face the up and coming but still improving prospect Andrzej Fonfara. And Williams himself said it would be a new beginning. But after getting stopped by Fonfara in the third round last Friday night, one can only hope that the new beginning will still come the next time around.

Throughout the amateurs and most of his pro career, Williams has been known as a boxer/puncher with huge KO power. Williams used that southpaw power to devastate opponents and earn a reputation as being one of the most exciting guys to watch coming out of MN. In fact, Williams still holds one of the fastest knockouts in boxing history (against Brandon Burke). But Williams began to change his training habits and his style in the ring after a successful early start. Even in later bouts where Williams wasn't properly prepared (Marcus Oliveria, Antwun Echols) he was able to use that devastating one punch power to thrill boxing fans in those fights.

Contrary to local predictions however, the former southpaw Williams again did not look like himself last Friday night. While Fonfara looked eager and ready to fight even at weigh-ins, Williams lacked the intensity of the moment that he has shown in the past.
And Williams only showed glimpses of his former self when the bell rang against Fonfara.
On the other hand, Fonfara entered the ring to cheers and had the stern look of a guy ready to take care of business. Fonfara controlled the opening round, dropping the straight right hand down the middle while looking to land hard to the body of Williams, which he did. Williams had a better second round as he began to fire back and get into the fight with his own right hand down the middle. But missing was the jab, which even in recent fights against Matt Vanda, was a huge weapon. Fonfara admitted afterwards that Williams was able to catch him with a couple good shots but if he was at all effected, Fonfara hid it well because he never stopped coming forward with constant heavy punches. The end to the bout came when Fonfara landed a hard right which turned Williams into the center of the ring. Fonfara followed with a right hand that grazed the back of Williams head which started to send Williams down. A left uppercut caught Williams flush on the chin before falling. Williams made it to his feet but fell back to the ropes at the count of 10.

With the victory, Fonfara continues to roll since his move to light-heavyweight standing now at (20-2, 11 Ko's) while Williams falls to (11-5-1, 10 KO's)

Williams seemed ok afterwards but admitted that he did not take full advantage of the time he had to train for the fight.

"My mind told me I can do it, but my body is telling me I can't be doing it like this anymore." Williams was referring to fighting without putting everything into training.

At 34, Williams still has time to turn back the clock. The supporters back home know that the Minneapolis fighter has the boxing skills, power, and capability to light up a lot of fighters. But the question looms whether the full time family man and a barber by trade has the time or desire to put what is needed into his boxing career and give fans a few more glimpses of the southpaw KO artist most had come to expect.

In other action, David LaQue of Bloomington lost a four round decision to Luis Santiago of Chicago. Santiago's busier and accurate punching won him each round but LaQue, who didn't spend a full day in the gym for the short notice fight, stood toe to toe with Santiago until the end. The crowd cheered loudly for both guys following a fun fight.
Saint Paul's Anthony Dunaski also took a last minute bout against his larger Chicago opponent Daniel Sotelo. Dunaski (132) weighed in 6 pounds less then Sotelo (138) and couldn't get himself into the fight. Dunaski was dropped multiple times by Sotelo, who came at Dunaski like a bull. The bout was stopped at 1:37. Dunaski said afterwards that he plans to fight at his more comfortable weight of 126 in the future.
The rest of the night featured a well put together and entertaining card done by 8 Count Productions. The UIC Pavillion was a great fight venue also which reminded me of a small Target Center type setup.