The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SHERMAN “The Tank” Williams put up a gallant effort, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to impress the judges enough to give him the decision.

Williams, 40, lost a 10-round unanimous decision to heavyweight contender Robert “The Nordic Nightmare” Helenius at the Helsinki Ice Hall in Helsinki, Finland, on Saturday night.

The judges’ cards read 99-91, 99-93, 98-93 in favour of Helenius.

The 6-foot, 6 1/2-inch Helenius improved his win-loss record to 18-0 with 11 knockouts. With the loss, Williams dropped to 35-12-2 with 19 KOs.

“The fight was great in light of two weeks notice, it was a bit of a challenge but the fighter’s size was never an issue that is why I took the fight, I am a warrior and will continue to press. I had to go after him and had the powerful punch and in light was going after him,” Williams said. “I like challenges and that was a good fight but a few more weeks would have been better.”

Helenius controlled the tempo of the fight, but Williams managed to stun him in the sixth round.

Helenius, however, was able to regain his composure and managed to turn things around for the victory over the remaining four rounds.

“A few more weeks of training and sparring things would have been different by knockout,” Williams said. “The opponent was good, humble but afraid of the over hand right and fought smart and stayed back. I rocked him with it in the sixth.”

Despite the loss, Williams said he enjoyed the fight and was looking forward to a possible return to Helsinki.

“It was ridiculous cold and mouth was so dry. I could not get warm. However it was great and a blessing for me. The people were wonderful,” he said. “God is good. Other doors have opened. They love the conch punch and talked a lot about conch and the Bahamas. God definitely gave me favour, I am thankful.”