I headed over to Sweat Gym in Clayton last Saturday on a blustery morning to catch up with members of Rumble Time Promotions’ talented young stable as they prepared for tomorrow night’s “Bad Blood” event at the Ambassador.
“Dangerous” Dannie Williams will headline a card that will include fellow amateur standouts Ty Chatman and Jamal Parram, along with the exciting professional debut of welterweight Jeffrey Combs.
The southpaw Chatman was wrapping his hands carefully while participating in some good natured verbal sparring with members of the crew. The slick and savvy 140-pound local product told me he is looking to build on a quick knockout victory last month at the Pageant.
When asked if he is trying to make a statement in his next test, he replied, “I made a statement in my last fight. I’m just trying to work my way up the ranks to the next level.”
The room’s attention turned towards Jamal Parram as he descended the stairs and joined the proceedings. A tough technician at 125 pounds, Parram scored an impressive fifth-round stoppage last month. As far as scouting his next opponent, he smiled and said, “All I know is he’s undefeated, so his first loss will be next week.”
The quick and charismatic Parram is also looking to build on a strong wave of local support he and his team enjoy as a result of brilliant campaigns before turning pro.
He said, “I’m St. Louis’ best kept secret. I’ve had a great training camp and I’m in tremendous shape. The fans know I’m a crowd pleaser, and I’ll make sure I put on a show for them.”
One by one the group fell in line to spar under the watchful eye of trainer Harold Petty as “Chickenhead” by Project Pat squawked through a set of speakers nearby.
Once the headgear and no fouls were in place, an assortment of thumb tack jabs, stern check hooks and fluid lead hands would slice through the subterranean space beneath a grey concrete and steel ceiling. Splotches of spilled water would soon dot the ring’s burgundy canvas like a blood trail leading away from a crime scene.
“Dangerous” Dannie Williams has an appropriate nickname, judging not only by his 11 knockouts in 13 wins, but also by the thudding exchanges he would soon swap with his partners over a seemingly endless stream of rounds.
After getting in quality work with both Chatman and the soon-to-debut Combs, Williams was willing to offer his thoughts going into his WBC/USNBC lightweight title clash against Robbie Cannon.
With a silver skull cap stretched across his braids, he took a swig from a water bottle and said, “I’ve been waiting for a main event for a long time after being on undercards. Everybody has had their time to shine: Cory, Devon, Bull. Now it’s my turn. It’s my time to carry the torch. I trained for the distance, but I’m going for the knockout.”
The ferocious action in the cellar last Saturday provided a preview of things to come as a quartet of local fighters look to build on young careers moving forward.
Tickets to Rumble Time Promotions’ “Bad Blood” event on Friday, May 21 are available by calling (314) 662-2000 or online at www.metrotix.com. The Ambassador is located at 9800 Halls Ferry Rd., and the first bell will sound at 7:30 p.m.
