Boxer Paul Williams paralyzed following Ga. motorcycle crash
Paul Williams (L) and Winky Wright trade blows in the fifth round of their middleweight bout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center April 11, 2009 in Las Vegas. Williams won by unanimous decision. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Boxer Paul Williams was paralyzed from the waist down following a motorcycle crash Sunday near Atlanta, and doctors don't believe he'll ever fight or walk again.
"From the waist down, he has absolutely no movement. He's in very good spirits, though," his manager, George Peterson, told The Associated Press from his home in Aiken, S.C. "He still believes he's going to fight again."
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The 30-year-old, two-time welterweight champion had just signed on to challenge junior middleweight titlist Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on Sept. 17 in Las Vegas. He has a 41-2 career record with 27 knockouts, according to ESPN.
Williams severed his spinal cord after falling on his back and head when he was thrown from his motorcycle Sunday morning in Marietta, Ga., Peterson told the AP.
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He was listed in serious but stable condition on Monday at an undisclosed hospital.
Marietta police released a statement Tuesday morning saying that Williams was driving too fast for conditions, according to ESPN.
Williams was in the area to attend his brother's wedding Sunday afternoon, Peterson told the Los Angeles Times.
"We want his fans to know he's going to be all right and he'll be back," Peterson said. "He said if he wasn't going to be boxing, he's going to be a stand-up comedian."
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