East Side Chats With Rubin “Mr Hollywod” Williams

By Tony Nobbs – Former world title challenger Rubin “Mr Hollywod” Williams looks for a victory over WBF 168 pound champion and WBA number 15 Les “Lock & Load” Sherrington on April 29 to spring himself back into world rankings after a dissapointing string of losses. The 33 year old Williams, who gave a good account of himself against then IBF super middleweight boss Jeff Lacy before being stopped in seven rounds in 2005, said his background in boxing will be one of his best assets going into the fight against the relatively untested Queenslander.

“I’ve beeen doing this all my life. There’s nothing you can do that will surprise me” said Williams (29-8-1, 16 ko’s) from Detroit, Michigan on Friday night. “My jab and my right hand will also be important in this fight”..

Williams said he “doesn’t know much” about switch hitting Sherrington, who he meets over twelve heats at the Gold Coast Convention Center, just down the road from Les’ Miami base, but had watched some of his fights on youtube.

Williams had a 102-14 amateur record before turning professional in 2001, winning his first 19 before losing in a round to puncher Epifanio Mendoza at Joe Louis Arena in ’03.

He rates a 20007 draw against three time world title challenger Antwun Echols, who he replaces as Sherrington’s opponent, as his toughest fight. His best win he says came over NABF light heavyweight titlist Kenny Bowen in ’04. Rubin has also defeated world title challengers Richard Grant and Anthony Stephens and the cagey Tony Menefee. He is currently training with Henry Hill and has been sparring Ronald Hearns and Isiah Thomas.

On the fight with Lacy then 18-0, 14 ko’s, he said “It was easy. It was an early stoppage. I was winning the fight, I got over confident and started trading with him toe to toe”.

While he only has a draw and six defeats in his past seven, Williams hasn’t exactly been mixing it with mugs. There aren’t any ham and eggers among his recent opposition. Do Allan Green, Andre Ward, Chris Henry or Cedric Agnew ring a bell? Combined they have a 126-8-2 record. His last three are 35-0.

The 27 year old, 25-5, 16 ko’s Sherrington’s past seven foes are 153-67-10 with Shannan Taylor (TKO 5) and William Gare (L 12) as the only notables.

“Every fight is a new fight” said Williams.

Agent Xavier Tolliver, who will accompant Wiliams added “This will be an exciting fight for the crowd. We respect Sherrington but he has not fought the opponents Rubin has. Rubin is training hard and looking to causing an upset”.