By: Sean Crose
There’s nothing like writing about the fight game. There’s no off-season in boxing. What’s more, there’s no one league to dominate the sport or its coverage. Again, there’s nothing like writing about the sweet science. With that being said, it’s hard to stay neutral, especially in a time when objective reporting is on the wane when it comes to boxing. Many fans simply like to have their own opinions supported by journalists. That’s wonderful if the journalist in question is a columnist. If not, though, then the journalist is risking coming up short.
Still, even those of us who value objectivity have challenges to face. And one of those challenges for this writer is not cheering for one fighter or another in one’s writing. It’s hard to be objective, after all, when you write of a local boxer, especially when both you and that fighter are from the (very) small state of Connecticut. That’s why I’m happy to write of James “The Quiet Storm” Williams now that he’s decided to step away from his ten-plus years ring career. Williams, after all, is a man who puts his family first, even before the sweet science. Hence, his retirement from the sport of boxing.
“One day I was talking boxing with my son Austin…(who) said ‘Dad this is your 37 fight coming and your 37 year old’,” Williams says. “That’s when it hit me.. I got a fight for ever year.” It was a moment for Williams to start thinking of his past – as well as his future. “I fought and beat some of the best in the sport,” he says. “(I’ve) been on TV: ESPN , NBC Sports, Showtime, Bein Sports and every type of major online streaming platform.”
Indeed, Williams had himself some memorable moments throughout the course of his career, including emerging victorious against former world titlist Yuri Foreman, a fight Williams refers to as “the biggest win in my career.” Yet family, which had led Williams to enter the ring, ultimately convinced him it was time to move on. In 2008, William’s mother was brutally murdered, a motivating factor for him to make his mark on the world if ever there was one. A few words from his son, uttered years later, gave Williams the motivation to move on. “I gave my fans my all for 11 years,” he says in all honesty.
“My family (has) always been a part of my career,” Williams continues. “My wife’s been there since day one. Now with 6 year old twin athletic boys, it’s time for me to be there every step of their way (in) their journey though life, and also be there to support my wife because she supported me to go off to training camps to help me become the best version of myself. Family is very important to me and now I’m home and around to be there with them every step of the way.”
Does that mean there’s no way the fighter known as “The Quiet Storm” won’t someday return to the ring? “Maybe a exhibition fight vs Mayweather or Logan Paul or a celebrity boxing match,” Williams jokes. “I’m good. God allowed me to walk away from the sport with great health so I’m ready for my next chapter in life.” Some of us here in Connecticut will remain fans.