Former Welter Weight boxing champion Paul Williams was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident Sunday morning in Marietta.
Williams’ trainer and father figure, George Peterson, broke the news of Williams’ paralysis to reporters on Monday, saying:
“They’re saying he won’t walk again or box again. Paul is in denial right now. It’s been that way with him. You tell him he can’t or won’t do something, and he wants to prove you different. So whatever the doctors say, he’s not listening. But they say that (walking and boxing) is not going to happen.”
Peterson also explained that Williams was on his way to his brother’s house to get ready for a wedding they were to attend later in the day. Williams was riding his motorcycle on an Atlanta highway when a car moved into his lane and Williams rode out of his lane to avoid the car. However, Williams’ swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle. Williams was then forced to ride up a steep embankment until he lost control of the motorcycle and was thrown several feet in the air and landed on his back when he hit the pavement. One of the cars Williams was trying to avoid called 911.
Williams was set to fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 15 in Las Vegas but that event has been canceled.
Williams is scheduled to have back surgery in the next few days in an effort to secure the portion of his spinal cord that allows the hands, arms, torso, and head to continue to function properly. Williams, who is said to be in good spirits, was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
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