Paul Williams' promoter, Dan Goossen, loves to talk about how his fighter is the most avoided man in boxing, a position that was occupied by Winky Wright for years.
Now, they're going to fight each other.
Williams, who holds an interim junior middleweight belt and used to be a welterweight titleholder before giving it up because he couldn't get anyone to fight him, will move up to middleweight again to face Wright in a scheduled 12-round fight April 11 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
The fight, which has been in the works for weeks, was officially announced Thursday.
"Paul Williams, the most feared fighter in the world, against Winky Wright, the most avoided fighter in the world, showing the world there are no challenges that won't be accepted by real champions," said Goossen, who is co-promoting the fight with Golden Boy Promotions. "This is the type of fight that will showcase Paul's size, skills and champion's heart, which he'll need against the man that has virtually beaten every world champion he has faced."
Williams (36-1, 27 KOs) outpointed Antonio Margarito to win a welterweight title in 2007, lost it to Carlos Quintana and then regained it last summer. Williams moved up to middleweight and knocked out Andy Kolle in September, before dropping to junior middleweight to claim an interim belt by smacking around Verno Phillips for eight lopsided rounds.
"I am glad that the fight is on," Williams, 27, said. "This fight has got a big name. Wright has taken the titles from champions and I'd love to take his reputation. That would add to my legacy. All I know is that everyone says he has got a good defense and nice jab but that doesn't matter to me -- I'm going to get mine in. I'm gonna whoop him and get in there."
Wright (51-4-1, 25 KOs) is coming off a long layoff but is excited to finally fight again. His last fight was a loss by decision in a 170-pound catch weight bout to Bernard Hopkins in July 2007. A comeback fight in December was called off because Wright, 37, injured his hand training for the bout.
The former undisputed junior middleweight champion owns two wins against Shane Mosley, one against Felix Trinidad and a draw with Jermain Taylor in a middleweight championship fight.
"It's been a long time since I've been this motivated and I can't wait until the bell rings," Wright said. "Paul is one of the top young fighters in the game, but he hasn't seen what I've seen or done what I've done. This is my time to shine and I won't let this young fighter steal my spotlight."
"These are clearly two of the most avoided fighters in boxing over the last decade and for good reason because they are two of the best," said Kery Davis of HBO, which will air the fight. "This should be a tremendous match up of will and skill."
Although the bout has not officially been announced, heavyweight contender Cristobal Arreola is likely to open the telecast against an opponent to be named.
Dan Rafael covers boxing for ESPN.com