[Interview by Pattee Mak – June 1, 2015]
I heard there’s some talk about putting welterweight Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (9-0-1, 5 Ko’s) from New Haven, Connecticut on the CES undercard for July 17, 2015 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island. To date all his bouts have been near his hometown in Connecticut. His last scheduled bout was scheduled to take place against Rahman Yusubov (11-20-0, (Ko’s) at Foxwoods on April 17, 2015, but due to unforeseen problems with Yusubov’s medicals, the fight did not happen.
Pattee Mak: Let’s talk about the fight that was going to take place at Foxwoods against Yusubov. It came down to the wire. I ran into you outside the venue the night of your fight and you still didn’t know if you were going to be fighting or not. You put in the training, you made weight and now, I’m assuming frustration. Tell me what was going through you and has anything like this ever happened before?
Williams: First time it happened to me. I just stay cool and just told myself tonight was not meant to be. That’s all and I want to thank all my fans for understanding what happened that night.
Pattee Mak: At least you now have the 17th to look forward to but no scheduled opponent. Are you at all worried that you’ll put in the training etc etc and then you will not be on the card?
Williams: I’ll be ready to go on the 17th. I’m not going to think about it. I come to fight.
Pattee Mak: I pray that doesn’t happen again.
Pattee Mak: All your fights were either at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun. I’m sure you feel comfortable fighting in those venues. Do you think you’ll have the same level of ease with fighting at a location you’ve never fought in before?
Williams: Yes I’m ready to fight on the road as a fighter. You have to fight anywhere. I will be prepared.
Pattee Mak: Back on 5-31-2014 at Mohegan Sun you fought Christian Lao (5-1-1) for the vacant USA Connecticut State super welterweight title and won an easy 1st round KO victory at 1 minute, 57 seconds into the round. When will you be defending your title?
Williams: I’m not sure yet there are more titles to collect and I’m focusing on that right now.
Pattee Mak: During a recent CES card at Mohegan Sun that you were on, there was an announcement in the ring about a possible matchup between you and “Jabbin” Joe Wilson (3-2-0) of Hartford, Connecticut. More recently, back in April, 2015, I interviewed Wilson’s new manager, Lee Ortega. We spoke about you and I asked him, “Is this something we can see in the future?” Ortega answered, “Yes most definitely”. Now besides Wilson, there is a hot prospect moving up the rankings on the CES rooster by the name of Khiary Gray-Pitts (7-0-0, 5 Ko’s) from Worcester, Massachusetts. This might make a great co-main/main event? Would you consider fighting Wilson and/or Gray-Pitts? Do you feel that Wilson or Gray-Pitts would give you any trouble in the ring? I believe Gray-Pitts is already fighting on the 17th.
Williams: One thing my fans will learn about me I am a fighter. I will never call nobody out. I wake up every morning and train hard. I’m on a mission to become a world champion and if our path crosses, then it crosses, that’s all I got to say. I will be ready for anybody.
Pattee Mak: If you had your way, whom would you like to fight on the 17th?
Williams: Don’t matter to me. I come to fight like always. I honor my mother when I step in that ring, so I’m always ready to fight.
Pattee Mak: Is it true that you currently signed an extension to your promotional contract with CES?
Williams: Yes.
Pattee Mak: Since that is the case, I’m assuming that you were happy with the prior results and everything that they offered you. Can you tell me how long it’s extended till?
Williams: I signed for five years. I’m very pleased with my team. CES been nothing but great to me. I am a loyal person. CES 4 life. We have great plans for the future.
Pattee Mak: You played college football at Southern CT State University. At one point you were seeking to play with the NFL. Do you ever think about what could have been if you played for the NFL or are you thinking this is where I’m supposed to be now, as a professional boxer.
Williams: This is God’s plan for me. I’m just very thankful to be living out my dream in my first three years under CES. I been on TV three times and now the world will know of Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams.
Pattee Mak: Yes indeed. GOD always has a plan.
Pattee Mak: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I always enjoy seeing you at the fights. You have a great inner spirit and a smile always on your face. Good luck on the 17th!!!! I’ll be there.
Williams: I’m looking forward to my fight in Rhode Island. It’s going to feel like home. I got a lot of fans out there I’m be ready to put on a great show. Also I will be selling tickets to my fight so whomever needs them can contact me on Facebook under James Williams or my instagram @qstormj28. Thank you.
All bouts subject to change.
As in September, I once again ran out of gas in the 10th & 11th championship rounds of October & November with this column, but I recovered to complete them and will unleash a few more flurries to close out the 12th and final round.
In the first week of October, Hassan N’Dam won a UD over Curtis Stevens in an eliminator for the right to challenge Jermaine Taylor who defeated aging Sam Soliman to regain the IBF Middleweight title. How Taylor even earned this title shot is another story altogether, but it is all irrelevant as he is now the champion. However he will not have too much time to savor his victory as he has assault and battery charges pending against him and an upcoming court fight that may turn out to be the toughest fight of his life, just when things started to look up for him in boxing, we wish him luck.
