The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER a month-long training session in the Philippines, Rashield Williams pulled off a very successful outing in his third professional fight.

On Saturday night, Williams secured a first round knockout over Jurlan Ceniza to get back on the winning trail and improve his win-loss record to 2-1 since turning pro at the beginning of the year.

“It was good. The guy came out very aggressive, but I continued boxing him,” Williams said. “At the end of the first round, I was able to stop him.”

With a straight right to the body, Williams got his opponent to drop to the canvas, signalling the end of their four round welterweight bout.

“I knew I had the strength to stop him,” Williams reflected.

“All I needed was to give him a good shot and that was the end of it.”

For Williams, it was exciting fighting all the way in the Philippines where he hopes to continue training for the next year.

“It’s something different. Everyone is going through the United States to build their career,” he pointed out. “I am taking a different route, doing something different. This is something I always wanted to do and I like it so far. It’s really nice.”

Besides the hot and humid conditions, Williams said he felt like he was right at home during his training overseas. “It was just extremely hot,” he stated.

Giving himself an early Christmas present, Williams expects to return to the ring in the Philippines in February. He will take the next week off to relax and recuperate and then it’s back in training with his coach Norman Wilson in preparation for his next fight.

Williams, 30, made his pro debut on February 9 with a TKO over Carlos Monroy in Mexico. One month later, he was back in the ring where he fought and lost to Javaune James in Miami, Florida on March 22. He didn’t fight until over the weekend.