Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Wright, Williams hug it out at weigh-in

Wright-Williams Weigh-In

Middleweight boxers Winky Wright, left, and Paul Williams pose during an official weigh-in at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 10 2009. The boxers will fight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, April 11. Launch slideshow »

With a row of media photographers waiting for the signature stare-down pose between Winky Wright and Paul Williams, the two "most avoided boxers" in the sport did the exact opposite.

They smiled, laughed and even ... hugged?

"I think they have so much respect for one another that it's hard to look each other, face-to-face, and be mean," said WBA welterweight champ Shane Mosley, who attended Friday's weigh-in held inside Mandalay Bay.

"They try to do that mean face and can't do it."

Wright weighed in at 159 pounds, one pound below the required middleweight classification, while Williams, who at 6-foot-2 is considered tall for the class, weighed 157.

When asked how he was feeling physically at the weight, the thin-looking Williams replied, "I feel great. You'll see that on Saturday."

Heavyweights Jameel McCline and Chris Arreola also tipped the scales Friday. McCline weighed in at a healthy 271, 16 pounds heavier than Arreola's 255. The weight difference hasn't scared oddsmakers in Las Vegas though, the undefeated Arreola opened as a minus 360 favorite.

Although the crowd on hand for the weigh-in was fairly small, those who made it were definitely excited for Saturday's main event. Oscar De La Hoya made a short appearance on stage and Ravens pro-bowl linebacker Terrell Suggs was spotted in the crowd.

Wright, who is making his first trip to the ring since July 2007, appeared to be the crowd favorite, generating the loudest support.

"It's very exciting, both guys are great fighters," Mosley said. "I'm excited to see what happens. It's hard to make a prediction when Winky's been off for 21 months. But if he fights the way he fought with Bernard (Hopkins, a loss in 2007), I'll take Winky."

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