The fireworks of last May's war between middleights Kelly Pavlik and Edison Miranda could possibly be reignited thirteen pound south of 160, in a highly anticpated bout between Antonio Margarito and Paul Williams.

The fight, scheduled at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, is the main event on a card which also features fan-favourite Arturo Gatti in a possible farewell fight against former Contender star Alfredo Gomez, in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall.

Margarito, 34-4-0 (29), at one time boxing's most ducked fighter, has seen his stock fall recently due to a poor performance against tough Joshua Clottey, who last gave a beating to the late warrior Diego Corrales. Williams claims to have given Margarito a beating during a past sparring session; Margarito claims he had sparred numerous rounds before the session and was tired. A lanky, orthodox fighter with deceptive skills and frightening power, Margarito is still a force in the welterweight division and because of his heart, chin, and unflinching determination would give everyone from Shane Mosley to Floyd Mayweather at least minor problems. Kermit Cintron, also fighting on the HBO card, knows Margarito's power firsthand, as the former undefeated fighter suffered his first loss versus the rugged Mexican, and subsequently broke down in the ring.

Williams, 32-0 (24), nicknamed "The Punisher," is an absurdly tall 147-pounder with a build like Tommy Hearns and good pop in both hands. At 6'1", he looked like a giant against the "Little Big Man" Sharmba Mitchell, whom he stopped in 2006. Although Mitchell was a shot fighter, he landed many bombs flush to Williams' head, but the bigger man just brushed them off. Williams' last perfomance, a 6th round TKO against unheralded Santos Pakau, showed Williams' impressive arsenal of skills, as he threw combinations in close and straight punches from outside. However, it also showed that a mediocre fighter with heart could stand up to Williams' powershots, which leaves the question of Williams' power to be left unanswered until Saturday night.

If Margarito-Williams is in fact a reincarnation of Pavlik-Miranda, then Margarito will play the part of victor Pavlik. He has a strong chin, is versatile, and is not discouraged by wars of attrition. We know little of Williams, other than he is a young, hungry fighter with good power. That description matches that of Edison Miranda. We know that Mirand has heart--does Williams?

Margarito has said that if Williams comes after him throwing bombs, that would not be a good idea. Margarito's chin was tested by Cintron--no slouch in the punching department--and he broke the younger fighter down in five rounds. Southpaw Williams may provide Margarito with some difficulites at first, but expect the Tijuana native to walk through hell to win this one.

Prediction: Margarito KO 10

New Jersey's favourite son Arturo Gatti, like a cat with nine lives, has to be given a decent chance against Alfredo Gomez. Gatti, 40-8 (31), is being trained by rival-turned-companion Mickey Ward, after Buddy McGirt and Gatti went separate ways since the latter's loss to Carlos Baldomir. Gomez, 16-3-2 (7), most known for his appearance on NBCs The Contender, is a skilled fighter not known for his punching power. Then again, neither was Baldomir, and he destroyed Gatti.

Gatti has the ring experience to win this fight; if he turns it into a war--which he so often does in his fights--even someone with moderate power like Gomez can inflict considerable damage on the aging warrior. At 35, Gatti is in the twilight of his career. Boardwalk Hall will be rammed to see if Gatti can "Thunder" strike his opponent one last time.

Prediction: Gatti by decision