Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik has signed to fight #1 contender Paul Williams on October 3 on HBO at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

“Paul Williams, as we have said over and over, will fight anyone at virtually any weight,” Williams’ promoter Dan Goossen said. “This is an other example of him willing to take on the best. He wants to take over the 160-pound division.”

Paul Williams is an up-and-comer who was recognized as one of boxing’s top prospects until he suffered a shocking loss to Carlos Quintana in February of 2008. But he redeemed himself with an impressive decision win over Winky Wright in April.

“Paul Williams is a terrific fighter and so is my guy,” Pavlik co-manager Cameron Dunkin said. “It’s a terrific match and it’s good for boxing. It’s a fight people are going to want to watch. Williams comes to fight and Kelly definitely comes to fight. It’s going to be a really fun fight to watch with lots of lots of punches and lots of action.”

Our prediction: Pavlik puts him to sleep in round 6