By John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer

If Ricardo Williams Jr. beats Terronn Millett tonight in Las Vegas on HBO-TV, his next fight could be against any of three notable junior welterweights: Arturo Gatti, Mickey Ward or Sharmba Mitchell.

Those three are all top-10 140-pounders in boxing's deepest division. Mitchell might be the best match for Williams, who is still only 21 years old. Lou DiBella, Williams' matchmaker, has said he would like his fighter's next bout to be in February in Cincinnati on ESPN. All of these options are alive if Williams can beat former world champion Millett tonight.

"He's in for a good one," Williams said at the Mount Auburn Gym, before leaving for Las Vegas earlier last week.

"People can expect to see good movement out of Ric - some Muhammad Ali jabbin' and movin'," said Ricardo Williams Sr., who co-trains his son. "It should be a real good boxing match for about six rounds."

After that, the Williams camp hopes to see its young charge start to take over the fight.

Tonight's fight should be great exposure for Taft High graduate Williams, because it is on the same card as Marco Antonio Barrera-Johnny Tapia, a match expected to be watched in 3 million homes, DiBella said.

Williams, who was the Olympic silver medalist at the 2000 Summer Games, intends to capitalize.

"It'll be a great opportunity for me to showcase my talent," he said. "Maybe I can steal the show."

If he does steal the show, it will be impressive, because Millett is a veteran (27-3-1, 19 KOs) who has been in the ring with such noted tough guys as Gatti, Zab Judah and Vince Phillips.

What concerns Williams the most about Millett?

"His power," Williams said. "He's a strong fighter. But I've got ways to adapt to guys with power. I've been doing it all my life."

Tonight's fights are part of HBO's World Championship Boxing, which will be held at the MGM Grand Hotel. Williams' bout is a scheduled 10-rounder.

It is, by far, the stiffest test of his young career.

"When you feel a fighter is ready, you have to take a chance," said Buddy LaRosa, the pizza magnate who is Williams' other co-manager. "You have to take a chance against somebody who means something. Every (future) champion on his way up fought a former champion.... These are the ideal opponents - well-known, respected, experienced. Hopefully, you get them just far enough on the way down."

This is Williams' first fight since surgery seven months ago. He suffered a left-hand injury in his victory over Anthony Washington in February in Cincinnati.

Williams' forte is his hand and foot speed.