FREEPORT, Grand Bahamas (April 24, 2018) – Bahamian boxing icon Sherman “Tank” Williams and Bahamian Sons Promotion presents live professional boxing, “Backyard Rumble”, on May 26 at A Social Affair and Convention Center in Freeport, Grand Bahamas.
“Bahamian Sons Promotions seeks to create an exciting venue in Freeport and across the Bahamas for live and televised professional boxing,” said Kimberly Williams, Sherman’s wife and president of Bahamian Sons Promotion. “Easy access to the beautiful islands of the Bahamas are the perfect place to train and get away.”
Fighting at home in the 10-round event, Williams (39-15-2, 1 NC, 21 KOs) takes on former world light heavyweight title challenger Epifanio “Diamante” Mendoza (43-26-1, 37 KOs), the Colombian knockout artist.
Williams has been stopped only once in 57 pro fights, extending former world champion Joseph Parker and Ruslan Chagaev, as well as top contenders Christian Hammer,Robert Helenius and Manuel Charr, the full distance in their fights. “Tank” defeated former world cruiserweight champion Al “Ice” Cole, fought world title challenger Jameel McClineto a draw, and was leading Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield until their 2011 fight was stopped due to questionable referee decision and declared a “no contest.”
During his 20 ½-years pro career, Williams has used his vaunted “conch (overhand right) punch” to knockout 21 opponents. His many heavyweight titles have included World Boxing Organization (WBO) China National, Oriental and Asia Pacific, PABA, World Boxing Council (WBC) Caribbean Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedecaribe and World Boxing Foundation Intercontinental championships.
Mendoza lost his world light heavyweight title fight in 2007 to Chad Dawson. The still dangerous Colombian defeated previously undefeated Rubin Williams (19-1). He has fought world champions Jeff Lacy, Beibut Shumenov, Yunier Dorticos, as well as world title challengers Sullivan Barrera, Luis Ortiz and BJ Flores.
Popular Florida heavyweight Chris Vendola (8-6, 8 KOs) faces former Mid-American cruiserweight champion Terry Porter (15-26-3, 9 KOs) in a six-round bout. Porter, a veteran boxer from Arkansas, has been in the ring with world champions James Toney, Samuel Peter and William Guthrie, in addition to infamous Ike Ibeabuchi.
Texas heavyweight Eugene “Mean Gene” Hill (34-1, 22 KOs), a former World Boxing Association International champion, meets an opponent to be determined. Hill is unbeaten in his last 19 fights (18-0-1).
Also fighting on the “Backyard Rumble” undercard is Houston (TX) super welterweight Star Johnson (6-28-1), Vero Beach, Florida welterweight Johnathan Pierre (2-0), and New Providence, Bahamas heavyweight Amron “Sandman” Sands (3-0, 3-0).
All fights and fighters subject to change.


Williams will be fighting in his eighth different country against Hammer, the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) European heavyweight champion. “I’m a Bahamian warrior,” Williams explained why he fights so many opponents in their backyard. “By nature, in the Caribbean, we are known as pirates. I’ve traveled all my life. We have no borders, only waters to cross. Wherever I fight, I feel like it’s my hometown of Nassau. This is the sixth different fight for me this year but the only one that’s really happening. The others fell apart for one reason or another. I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity. I’ll face adversity fighting in Romania for the first time but I’m going there with the intention of belting him from pillar to post. I’m going to take him out. I’m bringing my Conch punch (big overhand right), which is synonymous with the Bahamas, and people everywhere love it.”
Upshaw’s most recent fight resulted in a disappointing loss, by way of a controversial eight-round decision, last June to hometown favorite Lanell Bellows (12-1-1) in Las Vegas. “I dominated that fight and still lost,” Upshaw commented. “I’m looking at boxing differently since my fight in Las Vegas. I was robbed but learned that I can’t let up until my opponent is knocked out. I can’t afford to go the distance in this fight (vs. Oener).”