Plans to give The Bahamas first Caribbean title

By SHELDON LONGLEY NG Sports Reporter

According to Bahamian heavyweight fighter Sherman 'Tank' Williams, the postponement of his WBA Caribbean Intercontinental Championship fight will have no effect on him and will only serve to make him stronger and more prepared.

Williams (22-7-1, 15KO's) is still scheduled to take on Jamaican born Gary Wynmond at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium, but the date has been changed to the 3rd May partly because the newly formed Bahamas Boxing Commission didn't have enough time to organize the card.

Also fighting on the card will be two professional ladies boxers for the first time ever in The Bahamas.

"The whole card is going to be exciting and the Bahamian public need to come out and show their support," said Williams from his home in Miami, Florida.

"Nothing is better than to be fighting at home. I've won in Nassau before but never at this level and it will be great and spectacular to get a win in Nassau," added 30-year old Williams, who is originally from Grand Bahama.

Williams is currently in a training camp in Vero Beach, Florida where he is sparring with the number one ranked light heavyweight in the world, Antonio Carver. Before that he sparred with former World Heavyweight Champion Hasim Rahman, who was the last fighter to knock out current champion Lennox Lewis. Carver is scheduled to fight Roy Jones Jr. for the light heavyweight title of the World on 26th April.

"Physically I'm in great shape. I'm confident but I don't want to be over-confident," stressed Williams.

"My confidence comes from the gym and hard work. Once I do my road work and once I do my home-work, nobody could beat me in the ring," he assured.

"I'm feeling good and moving around in the gym and just being active is enough confidence for me so that on fight night I won't have anything to worry about. I'm just going out there and perform at my best and then I will have a great shot at winning the title."

Williams is short and compact compared to most of his opponents but he is very strong as he resembles Mike Tyson in the ring. His power comes from his short left/right combinations but Williams said that he is working on getting even stronger for his May 3rd fight.

"Right now I'm working on my left hook and polishing up on my right hand," said Williams. "I'm working on my knockout power and being able to execute in the ring. When I have a man hurt, I have to be able to take him out."

Just like in the majority of his bouts, Williams will be smaller than his opponent. Williams stems around 5'11" 230 pounds while Wynmond (27-7, 25KO's), who lives and fights out of Atlanta Georgia, is at 6'1" 240 pounds.

However, Williams gave up almost 100 pounds to Gabe Brown in his last fight on the 1st March and still came out victorious.

"He is a big puncher but I am a big puncher as well," said Williams.

"He's just as hungry as me and I am looking forward to a tough fight. If it goes the distance, it goes the distance but if I see a knockout, I'm going to take it. It's all about national pride and I intend to represent The Bahamas as best as I can," he added.

Williams and Wynmond are ranked numbers two and three respectively in the WBA Intercontinental rankings. In just the WBA rankings, Williams is at number 38. As an indication of how big this fight is going to be, the winner should automatically climb into the top 15 in the WBA.

"This is definitely going to be real huge," Williams said. "If I win this title it would be a major step in the right direction and maybe I'll be able to get into the top ten by the end of the year and be a legitimate contender for any of the title holders. Hopefully, I'll be looking at a World title shot in the next 6-12 months."

The Bahamas has only had one world champion in Boxing, Elisha Obed, and Williams said that he would love to take The Bahamas back to that level.

"The whole fight is historic in itself. I'm a well known Bahamian fighter on the international circuit being recognized by international bodies," said Williams.

"My goals are on the world class level and to bring a lot of that recognition to The Bahamas. Right now that is much more important for me and much more significant than fighting for the Bahamas title. That is just a country title and it is not intercontinental and not international and there is no comparison at all."

Williams further said that he would also like to create an outlet where young Bahamian amateur boxers can gain their pro status at home instead of having to travel abroad to become a professional.

"If I could get that going and bring the boxing world to The Bahamas, my countrymen will be capable of fighting anyone in The Bahamas and we will be able to host international fights. It will be huge because they can fight international fighters and learn the craft as they go along," he said.

Caption: Sherman 'Tank' Williams

Posted Wednesday April 16, 2003