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Wright finally back in action

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: April 11, 2009

Updated: 04/11/2009 12:34 am

TAMPA - For the past 21 months, the name Ronald "Winky" Wright and the term "frustration" have been synonymous. He has spent quality time with his children and tended to ventures outside the ring, but Wright has not had a match since his unanimous-decision loss to Bernard Hopkins in July 2007.

Shortly after that loss, Wright donned his proverbial running shoes, chasing after the likes of Kelly Pavlik, Jermain Taylor, Mikkel Kessler and Vernon Forrest. No one accepted his overtures, so Wright has watched as others fought for titles.

"The most frustrating thing was the network punishing me because fighters didn't want to fight me," said Wright, known as one of the most avoided boxers in the game. "I feel they should have been like, 'OK, you did make a valiant effort to get a fight and none of these guys want to fight you, so we're still going to put you on and give you the next best thing we can find.' But the network didn't do that. They kept postponing and pushing me back and pushing me back. ... So they're punishing me for no one wanting to fight me, but everybody else got to fight whoever they wanted - besides me."

The hiatus ends tonight when Wright (54-4-1, 25 KOs), the 37-year-old former light middleweight champion from St. Petersburg, faces 27-year-old Paul "The Punisher" Williams (36-1, 27 KOs) of Augusta, Ga., on HBO's "Championship Boxing."

"Old dogs can't run from new dogs, and I'm gonna get him tonight," said Williams, a two-time welterweight champ.

Considering Wright's conquests against Shane Mosley (twice), Tito Trinidad and Ike Quartey, among others, it isn't surprising not many have been willing to fight him. Williams, who beat Antonio Margarito by decision and avenged his loss to Carlos Quintana with a knockout in the rematch, has been dubbed the most feared boxer.

"It shows the fans I will fight anybody," Wright said. "I'm not one of those guys who will go out there and pick and choose the easiest guys to fight. I want the toughest guys to fight. I'm picking the guys nobody else is fighting."

Much has been made about Wright's time away and Williams' reach (82 inches to Wright's 72), height (6-foot-1 to Wright's 5-101/2), power and youth. But Wright makes it clear, Williams better expect a fight. And if anyone expects to see a technical, defensive-minded Wright, a style he is known for, you're partially right.

"I like to fight," Wright said. "I'm going to get in there and fight."

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