Paul Williams in Motorcycle Accident, Currently Paralyzed

[Gamer]

c/p from boxingscene.com
Posted By Osman Rodriguez

According to several news outlets in Atlanta, Paul "The Punisher" Williams (41-2, 27KOs) crashed his motorcycle on Sunday morning near Atlanta, and Williams is likely paralyzed from the waist down. Manager George Peterson told Augusta News 12 that he's in the hospital with a surgery scheduled for Wednesday. That surgery, says Peterson, will be to stabilize the healthy upper half of his spine by putting a protective wall around it.

Williams was scheduled to fight Saul Alvarez for the WBC junior middleweight title, as part of a pay-per-view headliner on September 15th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

MORE DETAILS WHEN AVAILABLE..............

[rudee]

Wow... if true,, this is horrible news! My best to Paul.
Will wait for more details on this.

[Fibroso]

Sorry to hear that, horrible accident. Same thing happened to Chico Corrales and he lost his life. Hoping he can get well. Sad

[rudee]

A little more on the accident.... I know he fell backwards, on his back and the back of his head.....

Boxer Paul Williams has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident near Atlanta, the fighter’s promoter, Dan Goossen, said Monday.

The 30-year-old Williams, who was scheduled to fight Mexico star and super-welterweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on Sept. 15 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, has no feeling below his waist, said Goossen, who added the southpaw fighter is scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday at an unidentified hospital.

Williams resides in Aiken, S.C.

Goossen said he was told by Williams’ manager, Al Haymon, and trainer, George Peterson, that Williams apparently swerved to avoid contact with a vehicle Sunday and lost control of his motorcycle.

“Riding a motorcycle can be treacherous,” Goossen said. “I’m told Paul is in good spirits considering what has happened.”

Asked if Goossen has been told Williams will never fight again, the promoter said, “Our thoughts aren’t there right now. He’s undergoing this procedure, and we’re hoping he can get back on his feet after that. That’s all we’re hoping for.”

[aquariusone]

More on his accident. He is reported to have been doing about 75 mph on a curb when he tried to avoid a car "driven by a man using his cell phone". He flew into the air more than 65 feet and landed on his back "severing his spinal cord". Those who are administering to him do not believe that he will ever walk again due to the seriousness of the injury.

However, he is reported to be in good spirits and even jokes about "bringing his mitts" to the hospital so that he can "continue to train for his Alvarez bout". He is said to have told his longtime manager, George Peterson, that "Believe me, if I don’t ever box again, I’m going to do some stand-up comedy."

Amongst his hobbies are gun collecting and riding his motorcycle.

I have witnessed a few horrific motorcycle accidents with lives lost. It is one reason, I decided early this year to give up my Burgman Exe. It also indicates that "use of cell phone while driving" has contributed to this very sad event.

We wish Paul a quick recovery. With his positive attitude, this may be the end of his boxing career but certainly not the end of his many opportunities.

[Fibroso]

The last times he was in Puerto Rico, Paul Williams visited S.E.R, a center for children with disabilities. Today he is facing surgery to regain movement from the waist down. He is a very good person, we pray for his recovery.

[d3athrac3r]

this horrible news, i lost a few friends to motorcycles myself. i still have one friend with a disabled arm and beaten up body from an
accident 7 years ago. i hope he gets his legs back, its worst thing ever to look at my friend knowing he cant hug or pick up his kids.

[Chigaro]

terrible news. i hope he can recover and have a good life after this. boxing has more than it's share of terrible news.

[jriver309]

Man this has been such a bad week for boxing, it is sad to see these types of accidents first hand and I lost a close friend to someone not paying attention while driving. I hope the best for Paul Williams and his family he is in the biggest fight of the rest of his life.

[rokko]

Paul Williams’ six and half hour surgery ‘went as planned’

Former welterweight king Paul Williams is said to be resting after undergoing lengthy surgery yesterday to protect the top half of his spine following a motorcycle crash last Sunday.

Promoter Dan Goossen said the six and a half hour procedure ‘went as planned’ as Williams went under the knife yesterday and the two-weight champion will now need some time to recover.

The 30 year-old has been openly talking to journalists since the accident, which left him paralysed from the waist down and Williams intends to fight the diagnosis to end, even vowing to walk again despite only being given a 10% chance by doctors.

Williams ring career ended instantly when his motorcycle failed to manoeuvre a corner in Marrietta, Georgia, just days after his next world title shot against WBC light-middleweight champion Saul Alvarez was announced for September 15th.

Alvarez, 21, has so far pencilled in a replacement in James Kirkland, only for the contender to be ruled out by a shoulder injury and the Mexican in now in the process of securing another challenger for the bout at the MGM Grand.