The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN boxer Sherman “Tank” Williams remains intensely focused on training for his big upcoming fight in October even after recently losing his mother - his biggest fan and supporter – last month in Grand Bahama.

Starline Williams, 61, was buried on July 19. Mr Williams, who trains in Vero Beach, Florida, returned home for three weeks but he used his time wisely putting in the time for training.

Mr Williams, 41, is getting his second opportunity to face New Zealand heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, 22, for the WBO Asia-Pacific title at the Trusts Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, on October 16.

Mr Williams’ record is 36-13-2, 19 KO, and Parker’s record is 9-0-0, 8 KO.

On Tuesday, The Tribune caught up with Mr Williams who is now back in Florida. When asked how he was coping with his mother’s passing, he said: “It is one of those emotional things that are a part of life.”

Asked whether it will affect his performance, he said: “It is kind of hard to say, it is an emotional roller coaster having to lose an immediate family member, but you just have to roll with the punches and take it one day at a time.”

Paying tribute to his mother, he recently posted a photo of himself embracing his mother on WhatsApp, a text messenger service.

Mr Williams trains with Gus Curren at the House of Champions Boxing Club and Gym in Vero Beach. Mr Curren has trained Olympic fighters, a world champion, and national regional champions.

“When I was home for three weeks I used my days constructively, did my road work and upped my cardio during the three weeks I was in Freeport for my mother’s funeral and I spent half of the time with family.

“I’m back training in Vero Beach. I am feeling good and everything is going well, my driving is coming along good and tomorrow we start sparring,” said Mr Williams, who is expected leave for Asia on August 23.

Mr Williams, who is about 5’11” with a 76- inch reach, is proud to carry the Bahamian flag. He has built up a strong fan base in Asia and is looking forward to the title fight. He has previously held the PABA heavyweight and the WBO Oriental Heavyweight titles.

“I won those Chinese titles back in 2012 when I fought Chauncy Welliver in Macao, China. Because of boxing politics, I was not able to defend it; I never lost it, they vacated it. And so I would be fighting for two of those titles against Joseph Parker on the 16th.

“I am familiar with Asian boxing fans, they like everything Bahamian; I am one of a kind and they are drawn to the culture and to my accent, and are fascinated to know that they got a small island contender in their backyard,” he said.

This will be Mr Williams’ first bout since he defeated Earl Ladson in November, 2013.

The five-day media tour to promote the fight starts on August 24 and will take Tank to Australia, New Zealand, and China. “I am really looking forward to it - that is going to be a lot fun,” Mr Williams said.

After the fight, he will return home to the Bahamas and for a Training Camp in Grand Bahama during the first week in September. He is considered a local hero and mentor to many youngsters, especially in the inner-city where he grew up.

Mr Williams’ boxing career started in 1997. Some of the titles he won during his career were in December 06, 2003, WBA FEDECARIBE Heavyweight Title; December 10, 2005, WBC CABOFE (Caribbean Boxing Federation) Heavyweight Title; March 31, 2006, NBA Heavyweight Title; and January 19, 2007, WBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title.