Philippines, 01 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Sherman Williams & Marcus Upshaw Back in action this month

PhilBoxing.com


MIAMI - A pair of respected gatekeepers and noted road warriors, heavyweight Sherman "Tank" Williams and super middleweight Marcus "Arillius" Upshaw, will both be in crossroads fights this month, according to their manager, Si Stern, of SHS Boxing Management.

Williams (37-14-2, 20 KOs), fighting out of Nassau, Bahamas, travels to Romania to take on Christian Hammer (17-4, 10 KOs), August 28, in the 10-round main event in Galati's hometown of Galati.

Upshaw(17-4-4, 8 KOs), 35, will fight in his home state for the first time in 2 ? years on August 15, when he faces undefeated Turkish prospect Bugra Oener (9-0-0, 3 KOs) at Wynwood Stadium in Miami, in a 10-round fight for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) interim super middleweight title.

"These two fights are very big for both fighters," Stern remarked. "Sherman has a great opportunity to be back on top in the heavyweight division. He's very smart and very experienced. Marcus can get back on the winning track where he should be."

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."

Hammer, who has defeated familiar names such as Kevin Johnson and Danny Williams, is coming off a loss this past February to unbeaten Tyson Fury, in which Hammer retired after the eighth round in their WBO International title fight.

"Hammer is tough," Williams said. "I have an advantage in my experience, who I've fought over the years. I'm going to be more explosive than in the past. I'm going inside, keep fighting him there, and then take him out. Guys like me and Fres Oquendo, who I train with in Florida, are the last of the Mohicans from our generation of fighters. I'm strong and healthy for this fight. I'm going to take this guy into deep waters and then drown him."

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)."

Upshaw's signature win came in 2010 when he traveled to Quebec City and upset 21-1-1 local hero Renan St. Juste by way of a 10-round decision, elevating Marcus in world middleweight rankings to IBF #6, WBO #9 and WBC #11. Upshaw has gone the distance, albeit in losses, with the likes of Mario Antonio Rubio, David Lemieux, Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez, Edwin Rodriguez, Patrick Majewski and Tarvis Simms.

Against Oener, Upshaw is on a seek-and-destroy mission, aiming to take the final outcome out of the judges' hands, despite him fighting at home. "Oener is pretty fast but he has no power on his punches," Upshaw noted. "He has a lot of speed, so I'll go to his body early to take his legs away, and then stop him. He's not lasting 10 rounds with me. I'm getting that belt and it'll put me on the map."

Upshaw is the nephew of the late, great Gene Upshaw, who was an NFL Hall of Fame offensive guard for the Oakland Raiders.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Is Floyd chickening out?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PBF president Almario dies
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • 2 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 13-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 60 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
    , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.