The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

HIS main event bout on the “Backyard Rumble - Part II” wasn’t what he anticipated, but Sherman ‘The Tank’ Williams says he’s not going to let them disappoint him as he continues his professional boxing career.

His only displeasure, he admits, is the fact that there are not too many quality heavyweights who want to fight him.

“While they have a lot of these heavyweights being busted for steroids, Tank Williams is still here and at 46, a lot of them are ducking and dodging me,” Williams said.

Coming off his first round technical knockout over Stacy Frazier on April 13 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, Williams said he was scheduled to fight again this weekend, but the fight was called off.

“Two weeks ago, I did an interview with New York about the fighters not wanting to fight me,” he said.

“We just said to the heavyweights that at 46, I’m still alive and well and coming off three KOs in my last four fights. “There are a lot of fighters in their prime, but it’s been difficult to fight them because they get to hand pick who it is they want to fight. Some of them go 10-0 and 20-0 and then they want to go right to the top for the big pay cheque.”

With a 42-15-2 win-loss-draw record, Williams said he’s been in the game long enough to know when fighters are prepared and not prepared to fight him.

“The opportunities are elusive because the young fellows and their promoters are not willing to go around and challenge fights. So that was the jist of the story.”

Looking back at his own “Back Yard Rumble - Part II,” promoted by Bahamian Sons Sports and Entertainment, Williams said he was pleased with the outcome, but is confident that there is still a long way to go to restoring the credibility of boxing in the country.

“I thought with the lead time and the four amateurs turning pro now, we would have had more support in the stadium,” he said. “But overall, I was happy with the turnout. I think the potential is there.

“We had some competitive bouts. Jamaica got two wins and the Bahamas got two wins. In a way it worked well because they know that professional boxing is real and not like the amateurs. You have to come fully prepared and to go the distance.

“They were really close and it was good to see that the referees were not just looking to go the Bahamian fighters a hometown decision. So we are looking forward to putting on another show in September. Overall it was a success and so we have to keep the momentum going.”

Tyrone Oliver improved to 2-0 with his first-round stoppage over Tureano Nicols of Jamaica, Jamaica’s Chad Richardson spoiled the debut of Bahamian Israel Johnson, Alando Lewis (JAM) won by unanimous decision in his pro debut over Chino Sherman (BAH), Kyre Woods (JAM) defeated Malik Glinton (JAM) via first-round stoppage and Ramel Lewis (JAM) defeated Shayan Shabab (MEX).

As for his match against Frazier that only lasted 30 seconds, Williams said he didn’t know what happened, but he came prepared to go the distance and put on a show for the Bahamian public.

“I wanted to fight so bad before the Bahamian fans, especially those in Nassau who would have not had an opportunity to watch me fight,” he said. “I was prepared and looking forward to it.

“My opponent was not prepared and I guess he wanted to stop before he got hurt. I am sorry for the Bahamian fans who didn’t feel as if they got their money’s worth, but I was ready to put on a show.”

Williams, a journeyman fighter from Grand Bahama now residing in Vero Beach, Florida, is now scheduled to fight sometime in June, but in the meantime, he said he will head off to Denmark for another training camp and get ready for whatever is next on his agenda.

Williams thanked Commonwealth Brewery, Compass Point and Graycliff, who all sponsored the show. He was disappointed that he didn’t get the support he expected from the Bahamas Government.

“It’s definitely a struggle, but the show had to go on,” Williams said. “There are a few promoters, who would like to come down and put on a show as well, so we will see how well that can go.

“The biggest disappointment to me was the lack of support from corporate Bahamas, but I want to thank all those who helped to make the event a success, especially ZNS and The Tribune for their extensive coverage.”

When he returns in September, Williams said he hopes that it will be totally different in terms of the support to his Bahamian Sons Sports and Entertainment company.