'Tank' ready to step back into ring

Prepares for fight next week Friday

By SHELDON LONGLEY

NG Sports Reporter

Still disappointed from the result of his last bout, Bahamian heavyweight Sherman 'Tank' Williams is wasting no time in getting back into the ring. Williams anxiety to return to action as soon as possible has landed him another top notch opponent in the North American Boxing Federation.

Williams (20-7, 15KO's, 1 draw) will challenge Garin 'Freight Train' Lane on Friday 6th December in Lane's hometown, St. Petersburg, Florida.

The fight, which will appear on Sunshine Network as a tape delayed match, was scheduled two days ago and will be held in less than two weeks time.

"I was offered the fight on two days notice but I have been in the gym ever since my last fight and I am ready to go," said the 30 year-old Bahamian heavyweight who is currently ranked number 18 in the NABF. "They tried to bring the fight to me at the last minute but I'm glad that I have an opportunity to secure a victory before the year is out.

They think that they could catch me off guard but this is where the element of surprise come in and why boxing is such a mystery," added Williams from his home in Miami, Florida yesterday.

Williams said that he is 99 percent recovered from his sprained trapeze muscle which caused him in his last fight and he can't wait to take the hurt to Lane. Lane is coming off a fight in which he went the distance against NABF champion David Tua but lost.

"He's a tough opponent but I know what he is coming with. I feel confident in myself even though I didn't pull off the victory last month," said Williams. "Everybody who knows me know that I didn't perform within myself because I was hindered with an injury.

"I'm not going to use any excuses but that was a learning experience and if that situation was to happen again, I would know exactly what I need to do. Mentally, I'm 110 percent and I'm ready to go," he added.

Despite suffering the injury in his last fight, Williams was still able to go the distance and even was ahead on points according to one of the commentators.

"Mentally I was disappointed that I wasn't able to perform up to my ability where I couldn't use my jab and I couldn't use my left hook," said Williams.

"Now it's time for me to step out there and prove that I'm a gladiator and I'm a warrior.

I know that I need to be in the ring fighting and that I need to be picking up more wins."

Williams yields a huge size disadvantage to Lane. Williams, who is around 5'11" 230 pounds, plans to tackle Lane the same way he does all of his opponents who are bigger than he is. Williams said that he will try to pound the 6'2" 255 pounder on the inside and wear his body down.

"He's a big guy and he is an experienced fighter. I've watched some of his fights and I've sparred with him a couple of years back," said Williams. "Size don't matter, I just basically have to use the science part of it. I'll get on the inside and wear his body down.

If he opens up or drop his hands, I'm going upstairs and I'll try to crack his chin."

Williams said that he is just ready to get back in the ring and get back into the win column.

"Unfortunately for me I have never been able to catch any of the breaks when it is a close fight.

I was always in that position and I know that I have to go out and totally dominate this guy come next week Friday," said Williams.

© 2002 The Nassau Guardian