The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

EVEN though he's not officially retired, Sherman 'The Caribbean Tank' Williams said he was honoured to be the latest Bahamian to be inducted into the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame.

The Grand Bahamian native now residing in Florida was among a list of more than 20 persons inducted into the Class of 2026 during the ceremonies held this weekend in St Petersburg, Florida. 

At 53 years of age, Williams went in as one of seven fighters enshrined, along with Zab Judiah, Kenny Gould, Michael Rush, Allan Vester, China Smith and Vitaliy Kopytko.

Among the others inducted were the late trainer/manager Emanuel Steward and promoters Bob Arum and Lou Dibella. Other areas honoured were the media, participants and officials/commission. There were also two special achievement awards and one for the Walter A Flansburg Lifetime Award, which was presented to Sakura Armstrong. 

In accepting his recognition, Williams said he was especially thrilled to follow in the footsteps of the late Elisha ‘Yama Bahama’ Isaacs and Gomeo Brennen, both inducted in 2010, the late world champion Everette ‘Elisha Obed’ Ferguson, who was inducted in 2011 and Freeman ‘The Natural’ Barr in 2016.

"It feels great. It was an awesome feeling to be given such a high recognition of being inducted with the Class of 2026 was amazing," said Williams, who now resides between Vero Beach and Port St Lucie with his wife Kimberly and his son. 

"I was able to speak and share the stories with Emmanuel Steward's daughter. Emmanuel Steward was a legendary trainer and promoter who passed on, but I had my moments with him fighting on some of his cards."

Over the past 35 years in the sport after he turned pro in June, 1997 after he fell short with a silver medal at the Olympic Games qualification tournament in 1996, Williams said it was good to see that his name was still appreciated for his contribution in the ring.

"My ring name was the "Conch Punch," which was made famous with my overhand right shot," he recalled. "I left an impression, not only in Florida, but in boxing throughout the United States."

During his pro career, Williams posted a 42-15-2 win-loss-draw record with the highlight of his career coming in January, 2011 in West Virginia where he fought former world heavyweight champion Evander ‘The Real Deal’ Holyfield to a no-contest over a severe left eye cut to Holyfield on an accidental headbutt in the third round at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs.

Despite the fact that his last official fight came in April, 2019 with a victory over Stacy Frazier at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, Williams said he is still in "great shape" and if the opportunity presents itself, he is willing and ready to step back into the ring.

Admitting that as he's done, Williams said he wants to continue doing what he did during his career, promoting a few fights in his hometown of Grand Bahama and in New Providence through his Bahamian Sons Promotions group. 

He feels he still has a lot more to offer to the local boxing community to get the sport back to its glory days when there were at least two to three pro cards on the local sporting calendar each year. 

"I would love to be utilised a lot more," said Williams, who is currently engaged in a number of projects in Florida after he spent some considerable time in Denmark and in Europe promoting the sport.

"During the political campaign, I heard some candidates throwing some things out there, but this has always been a passion of mine. Migration is one of the things that is killing us and not having people ready home, but I am willing and ready to work with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to make my contribution."

He is currently balancing his career as a hospital security captain at the Orlando Health Sebastian Rival Hospital in Sebastian, Florida, where he was recently honoured for his service.

The Florida Boxing Hall of Fame is being ran by president Steven Canton, a long-time trainer and promoter of Freeman Barr in Fort Myers, Florida. Bob Alexander is his vice president.