The incomparable Sherman “Tank” Williams has taken his act across the country to Carson, California for Saturday night’s eight round fight against former professional football player Gerald Washington (7-0, 5 KOs), at Home Depot Center.
A year ago, Williams (35-12-2, 19 KOs), a bonafide Bahamian sports legend, traveled halfway around the world to Macau, China to defeat Chauncy “Hillyard Hammer”Welliver (53-5-5, 20 KOs) for the WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Asian Boxing Council Championships. Williams’ last fight was a loss by decision last November to undefeated heavyweight contender Robert Helenius (17-0) in Finland.
The 40-year-old Williams has an overwhelming advantage in experience over the 31-year-old Washington in terms of professional fights (50 to 7), rounds fought (280-19), and quality opponents (Williams has fought world champions Evander Holyfield, Ruslan Chagaev and Al Cole, as well as contenders Manuel Charr and Jameel McCline.). “He must feel that he has the goods to beat me,” Williams said. “Fight night I will unleash ‘Tank’ in the ring. I’m happy and confident in myself. I’m focused on this fight and taking care of business. I’m bringing the ‘Conch Punch’ (overhand right) but I won’t throw it too much because my opponent will start holding if I throw it out of proportion.
“I’m coming to fight, like I always do. I’m going to do my thing, fighting on guts and determination. I’m not sure if he boxed a lot before his football career, but he’s an athlete like me, and I respect him for that. He’s big (6′ 5″ and 240+ pounds) but I’ve fought a lot of big guys during my career.”
A certified chef and ordained minister, Williams has seen it all in boxing during his up-and-down pro career, spanning 16 years. “Boxing has turned my life around,” Williams explained. “I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly, but boxing has been good to me. It saved my life because I was on a destructive path when I was young. All I did at 17 was play rugby and get into fights. I’ve travelled the world and have a different perspective on life because of boxing.
“I’ve kept myself in good shape and I have a lot left. This will be my fourth fight with (two-time world champion) John David Jackson as my head trainer. We have a good relationship. He’s realistic, not about ego, and that’s because he’s done it (fought professionally) himself. I also had two other world champion fighters, Eddie Mustapha Muhammad and ‘Buddy’ McGirt, as my trainer in the past. We have good chemistry. John David and I are both students of the game, very knowledgeable, and we often have great boxing conversations.”
Williams’ manager, Si Stern (SHS Management), appreciates “Tank” and firmly believes in him. “I really believe that, not only will ‘Tank’ win this fight, he’s going to take him apart. They aren’t in the same class and he’s never fought anybody like Sherman. ‘Tank’ is a helluva fighter, tough as they come, and that’s why none of the top rated heavyweights want to fight him. People saw what he was doing to Holyfield before he quit. John David told me Sherman is in the best shape of his life.”
Williams-Washington is on the undercard of a Golden Boy Promotions event, headlined by a major fight between Marcus Maidana and Joselito Lopez, which is airing on Showtime Championship Boxing.
