Tuesday, February 26, 2002
Williams keeps his hand in ring
May not be broken, April 27 bout still on
By Gary Estwick
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Ricardo Williams Jr.'s left hand might not be broken after all.
The Cincinnati fighter's hand appeared to be broken during his junior welterweight fight against Anthony Washington on Sunday at Cincinnati Gardens, but Williams' matchmaker, Lou DiBella, said Monday that X-rays Sunday night and Monday afternoon were negative.
Williams plans to see a hand specialist Wednesday. If the hand is found to be OK, Williams' scheduled April 27 fight against Ivan Robinson (30-6-1) at Madison Square Garden, televised on HBO, won't have to be postponed.
“His health is our No.1 priority,” DiBella said. “If he's not 100 percent, we won't do it.
“It seems to be getting better”
Ricardo Williams Sr., the fighter's father and co-manager, said Monday his son's hand is in a soft cast.
After hitting Washington early in the sixth round, Williams Jr. grimaced in pain and held onto his opponent. Williams Jr. said he tried to use his left hand later in the fight, but every time he made contact, it hurt.
Williams Jr. (7-0, 5 knockouts) was already in control of the fight. In the fifth round, he sent Washington (15-1-1) to the canvas twice. Williams Jr., a 2000 Olympic silver medallist, backed off considerably in the later rounds before taking a 10-round decision. The fight was his longest ever.
After the fight, Williams addressed reporters with his discolored left hand in a bucket of ice.
Williams Sr. said Sunday that rehabilitation for a broken hand would take about five weeks.
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Williams keeps his hand in ring
