a highly anticipated rematch with sergio martinez eventually materialized at boardwalk hall, atlantic city, new jersey on november 20, 2010. upon the williams camp's insistence, the fight was contested at the catchweight limit of 158 pounds instead of the middleweight limit of 160, with martinez's wbc middleweight title on the line. the fight was billed as a potential "fight-of-the-year," however the fight ended abruptly and dramatically when sergio martinez delivered a knockout blow with 2:02 left in the 2nd round. the punch was a short left cross that caught williams right on the chin as he attempted to deliver a left-hand of his own. williams' right hand was at his waist when the punch landed, rendering paul williams unconscious upon contact.