The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SHERMAN “the Tank” Williams, with two weeks to prepare for his USBO Heavyweight Championship fight, said he’s in tip top shape and ready for his showdown with Orlando “Knockout” Farias.

Williams and Farias are scheduled to clash in the 12-round main event of Williams’ Bahamian Sons Sports and Entertainment Backyard Rumble Part II on Saturday, April 13, at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

“Everything is looking good. I’m feeling great. I have two more weeks to go so my timing is on,” said Williams as he went through a light workout session yesterday at the Strikers Boxing club.

“I came out of my sparring session last week and so it’s good to be here in Nassau to check on the local fighters. Everybody is motivated and everybody is ready to go.”

During yesterday’s workout, Williams went through a sparring session with Israel Johnson, who will be competing in one of the fights on the Bahamian versus Jamaican undercard that will feature at least six four-rounders.

“I’m just trying to stay loose,” said Williams. “Two weeks to go, all my work is done. This is normally sleeping time for me. As each day draws closer, it’s just fun time.

“I feel confident, I feel strong, so at this point, it’s just staying loose and keeping up with my conditioning. But I feel good and I’m ready to go.”

Williams, who also serves as the promoter for the show, said his only disappointment is that Amron Sands, the Bahamian undefeated heavyweight won’t be on the card. Williams said Sands’ handlers decided not to release him to fight on the show.

But despite his absence, Williams said the other Bahamians lined up, will make it an exciting show.

Israel Johnson will be making his pro debut against Chad Richardson. And Tyrone Oliver, who made his debut on the previous show in Grand Bahama, will be returning to the ring for his second fight against Nico Yeyo.

“As expected, training is going smoothly. I’m in shape, I feel healthy and I’m ready to go and be victorious on April 13,” he stressed. “Dynamics and greatness. That’s all the Bahamian public can expect from me.

“Everybody has been hearing about it, now it’s time for them to see it full fold. The people are looking for some great fights, so who else to give it to them than Israel Johnson.”

Johnson’s only advise to his opponent is to come ready.

“I am not going into the ring with any excuses, so I don’t want him to come with any,” Johnson said. “Come to fight and let’s put on a good show. I just found out about him yesterday.

“But all due respect, I don’t care much about him. I;m ore worried about me, making sure I’m healthy, making sure I am in a position where I don’t have to make any excuses on April 13 about why I didn’t give the Bahamian people a great show.”

Johnson said he’s grateful that Williams has provided this opportunity to turn pro and so he want to make sure that he doesn’t disappoint anyone when he step into the ring.

Since making his pro debut at the initial Backyard Rumble in Grand Bahama last year, Oliver has had to take a break to recover from an injury. He too is appreciative of the opportunity to get back in the ring.

“Things are looking quite interesting. My training camp over the last month and a half has been a tremendous success,” he said. “We’re ready to let the Bahamian fans witness boxing at its best.”

Oliver said he heard Yeyo bragging about what he’s going to do to him, but he warned him that “talk is cheap. I wish him all the best. It’s a gentleman’s sport. But God doesn’t chose sides in boxing. May the best man win. I just want him to know that he bite off a little more than he can chew.”

Come April 13, Oliver said he want to ensure the Bahamian fans that when they come out, they will witness boxing at its best.

“We have a huge fan base and it’s a very exciting card, so you don’t want to miss it,” he said. “I am appreciative that I got my second opportunity to fight under Sherman Williams card. This is 12 years in the making.

“I’ve been on a lay off for about 8-9 months, so I just don’t want to come back and give the fans a quick knockout. I want to display the art of boxing and then knockout him out. I just want to entertain the fans and let them know what I bring to the table.”

Also expected to fight on the undercard in their pro debuts are Shaquan Seymour against Toriano Nicholas; Chino Sherman will contain with Fabian Tucker; Malik Glinton will be matched against Olando Lewis and Shayan Shabab will battle Ramel Lewis.