Nassau Guardian - This past Sunday evening, Sherman ‘The Tank’ Williams called with the
delightful news that he had heard from the World Boxing Federation (WBF)
and a decision had been made to declare him the interim champion with a
defense due in six months.
Up to this writing, the WBF had not made an official announcement to the
world of the transfer of its heavyweight title from Evander Holyfield
to Williams. (Hopefully by the time this column is published, the WBF
would have done so).
“God is good. I received a call from the WBF and they told me it was
decided that I would be made interim champion. I’m waiting on the
“written” communication from them,” said the Bahamian who gave Holyfield
quite a pasting over three rounds on January 22 in a West Virginia
ring.
As indicated in this space previously, the WBF had options. They could
for example, have directed Holyfield to make a mandatory defense against
Williams; declared the title vacant; conveyed it to Williams because of
the controversial stoppage after three rounds of the fight due to a
Holyfield cut over the left eye; or left Holyfield with the crown.
According to our boxer, the WBF opted to make him the champion. To me,
that’s the face-saving route that should have been taken within the
first week following the fight.
It’s been a long haul for the Grand Bahamian. ‘Tank’ began his pro
career in June of 1997 after a solid but frustrating amateur career that
saw him on occasions making the journey on his very own, although
representing his country.
To Williams, “putting my country’s name, The Bahamas, out there,” was
always very important. Ultimately, Williams is right up there when it
comes to promoting The Bahamas positively, with the best athletes this
country has ever produced.
From the very beginning, he wore the nation’s colors on his boxing
trunks, his robe and in every interview his focus was on letting the
world know that there was this place called The Bahamas that he was very
proud of.
This ascension into world boxing’s special category of champions could not have happened to a more deserving individual.
When one evaluates Sherman ‘The Tank’ Williams it is only fair, to
consider more than just his ring record of 34-11-2 (wins/losses/draws)
and one no-contest (against Holyfield).
For instance, I hold the view that at least three of his 11 official
defeats ought to have been bouts in the win column. In boxing until you
reach that point whereby you can make demands about the fighting
locations, doing battle in the next man’s backyard is the normal
situation.
Also, I’ve always been impressed with Williams’ ring style. He learned
the craft very well and in almost all of his fights, his demonstration
of skill, finesse, and the ability to slip and block punches resulted in
respect among his peers.
Many Bahamians saw ‘The Tank’ in action for the very first time when he
met Holyfield. There were those who saw him in two bouts here during the
first decade in this century (2003 and 2006). Still, others saw him in
the televised fight against the giant Ty Fields.
Against Holyfield however, they all saw the true mettle of the man. He
was the master in the ring, in control throughout the three rounds and
on his way to one of boxing’s historic finishes.
I believe referee Dave Johnson rendered Williams a disservice when he
stopped the fight because of the Holyfield cut. It was a success story
for the local fighter indeed, but the ending could have been much more
glorious.
Finally though, it seems he will get (officially) what he has been
striving for from his youthful days growing up in Grand Bahama.
The WBF should go far beyond a simple communication to Williams. The
announcement should go out to the world media so that Sherman ‘The Tank’
Williams can be appropriately saluted. Here in New Providence at the
Pan American Caribbean Boxing Organization’s (PACBO) Valentine Show,
this Saturday February 12 at the Nassau Stadium, Williams will be the
special guest.
SOURCE
"The Tank" in the Sports Hall of Fame?
(VIDEO) 2005 Interview with Bahamian Boxer Sherman 'The Tank' Williams
