John Roman William update request
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southernmostfightfan
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 83
- Joined: 18 May 2006, 01:24
John Roman William update request
John is now being managed by Si Stern instead of Farid Farah. Thanks
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southernmostfightfan
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 83
- Joined: 18 May 2006, 01:24
I also forgot to put that John is fighting out of Key West, FL and is being trained by Norman Wilson and John David Jacksom Thanks
Here is an article on John from the local Key West Newspaper
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William wants to win for new home of Key West
BY PAUL DEHNER JR.
Assistant Sports Editor
KEY WEST — John Roman William began his workout Tuesday afternoon blasting a soft Mexican Reggae tune.
"You've got to feel it," he exclaimed.
Few did.
The subtle sounds filled the gym while other boxers shared a quiet laughter. Not exactly typical training music.
But the man nicknamed Black Gold wouldn't be considered a typical boxing personality by any standard.
And precisely why this native Costa Rican feels so happy in Key West that he decided to call it his adopted hometown.
On an island full of colorful characters, this one fits right in.
"I love everybody," William said, opening his arms and widening his face to a caricature of itself.
He soon continued, telling stories of his original hometown of Heredia, Costa Rica, his parents who adopted him at age 12, chasing monkeys in trees and a peculiar love for Winnipeg, Canada. Each story tough to follow through a thick accent, but laced with jokes and animated delivery to draw a smile out of every listener.
The jokes will no doubt cease as the 30-year-old William (18-5, 9 KO's) will fight George "Honey Boy" Blades (20-2, 14 KO's) in the first of two main events televised on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights at Rumble in Paradise III this Friday.
There, William will be announced as, "Originally from Costa Rica, but fighting out of the Conch Republic of Key West, Florida," just as he was in his unanimous decision victory in Rumble II.
Yet, the title doesn't serve as a marketing ploy, but adopted truth for the former Golden Gloves boxer who traveled to nearly every country and island within earshot of North America to fight.
He admits his outlandish personality hasn't fit in everywhere. But Key West became a perfect match, with his managers Si Stern and Dave Johnson the matchmakers.
The two decided to take William on as part of the Rumble in Paradise project they also fund. They knew William embodied all the physical tools necessary in a dominating professional light-heavyweight: Chiseled 180-pound frame, punishing punches and explosive ring speed. But his technical skills lagged far behind.
Stern and Johnson hooked William up with championship trainers Norman Wilson and John David Jackson. For the past 21/2 months he worked in a boxing training camp in Miami. On top of working on specific skills, he sparred nearly every day with former world champion Glen Johnson.
"Oh, they would go at it," said Wilson, admitting progressing with such a raw prospect has proven sluggish.
"You have 25 fights fighting one way and then somebody is going to try to twist your arm this way and twist your arm that way. It's hard. This don't feel right. There are a lot of aches and pains. It is coming, but it's not where I want it."
Still, William is set up for success. His managers assure all his expenses are paid living in Key West. Most days he stays at his hotel. Some nights he even crashes at Stern's house.
"Every sport is about money," William said. "If you have money, you have the right trainer, the right food. You don't have to worry about paying for your house, have to pay for that, or this, ahh! Too much pressure.
"Right now, my only thing is to train."
Understandable considering Friday represents the biggest opportunity in his career. At 8 p.m., the ESPN2 lights will turn to William and allow him to show the world how good he can be.
For him, this fight isn't about the exposure or credibility he could gain from securing the vacant WBO Latino and WBC Intercontinental belts on the line.
That type of selfishness doesn't reside in his personality.
"I don't just want to fight, I want to win these titles. But I don't want to fight for me," he said. "This is a big fight for my trainers, for my managers and for the city, Key West. Key West gave me something — respect. Now I want to give something back to Key West — a champion."
[email protected]
Here is an article on John from the local Key West Newspaper
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William wants to win for new home of Key West
BY PAUL DEHNER JR.
Assistant Sports Editor
KEY WEST — John Roman William began his workout Tuesday afternoon blasting a soft Mexican Reggae tune.
"You've got to feel it," he exclaimed.
Few did.
The subtle sounds filled the gym while other boxers shared a quiet laughter. Not exactly typical training music.
But the man nicknamed Black Gold wouldn't be considered a typical boxing personality by any standard.
And precisely why this native Costa Rican feels so happy in Key West that he decided to call it his adopted hometown.
On an island full of colorful characters, this one fits right in.
"I love everybody," William said, opening his arms and widening his face to a caricature of itself.
He soon continued, telling stories of his original hometown of Heredia, Costa Rica, his parents who adopted him at age 12, chasing monkeys in trees and a peculiar love for Winnipeg, Canada. Each story tough to follow through a thick accent, but laced with jokes and animated delivery to draw a smile out of every listener.
The jokes will no doubt cease as the 30-year-old William (18-5, 9 KO's) will fight George "Honey Boy" Blades (20-2, 14 KO's) in the first of two main events televised on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights at Rumble in Paradise III this Friday.
There, William will be announced as, "Originally from Costa Rica, but fighting out of the Conch Republic of Key West, Florida," just as he was in his unanimous decision victory in Rumble II.
Yet, the title doesn't serve as a marketing ploy, but adopted truth for the former Golden Gloves boxer who traveled to nearly every country and island within earshot of North America to fight.
He admits his outlandish personality hasn't fit in everywhere. But Key West became a perfect match, with his managers Si Stern and Dave Johnson the matchmakers.
The two decided to take William on as part of the Rumble in Paradise project they also fund. They knew William embodied all the physical tools necessary in a dominating professional light-heavyweight: Chiseled 180-pound frame, punishing punches and explosive ring speed. But his technical skills lagged far behind.
Stern and Johnson hooked William up with championship trainers Norman Wilson and John David Jackson. For the past 21/2 months he worked in a boxing training camp in Miami. On top of working on specific skills, he sparred nearly every day with former world champion Glen Johnson.
"Oh, they would go at it," said Wilson, admitting progressing with such a raw prospect has proven sluggish.
"You have 25 fights fighting one way and then somebody is going to try to twist your arm this way and twist your arm that way. It's hard. This don't feel right. There are a lot of aches and pains. It is coming, but it's not where I want it."
Still, William is set up for success. His managers assure all his expenses are paid living in Key West. Most days he stays at his hotel. Some nights he even crashes at Stern's house.
"Every sport is about money," William said. "If you have money, you have the right trainer, the right food. You don't have to worry about paying for your house, have to pay for that, or this, ahh! Too much pressure.
"Right now, my only thing is to train."
Understandable considering Friday represents the biggest opportunity in his career. At 8 p.m., the ESPN2 lights will turn to William and allow him to show the world how good he can be.
For him, this fight isn't about the exposure or credibility he could gain from securing the vacant WBO Latino and WBC Intercontinental belts on the line.
That type of selfishness doesn't reside in his personality.
"I don't just want to fight, I want to win these titles. But I don't want to fight for me," he said. "This is a big fight for my trainers, for my managers and for the city, Key West. Key West gave me something — respect. Now I want to give something back to Key West — a champion."
[email protected]