By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

HE has only had two fights since turning pro in February, but Rashield Williams is hoping to close out the year with a bang next month.

After losing his last fight to Javaune James on March 22 at the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort in Miami, Florida, dropping his record to 1-1, Williams is preparing for his third fight on December 24.

No details of his fight have been revealed, but Williams said he’s heading to the Philippines to resume his training.

“I and my coach Norman Wilson just want to try something different, go a different route to train,” Williams said. “Sometimes you just have to take a different road to get to where you want to go.

“Right now, I’m fit and I’m ready to fight. I am just trying to keep myself in condition and underweight. I don’t want to go to training camp underweight and then have to work extra hard to get back down.”

The 30-year-old Williams, who stands at 5-feet, 9-inches, is an orthodox welterweight. He noted that he was glad for the break to return home, but he’s eager to get back into the ring.

“I am very confident. Everything is working out for me,” he said. “I’m with the right person. I know that he will move me in the right direction. I just have to be prepared to put in the work. I just have to keep my composure. As my coach says, I always try to rush for the knockout. I just have to be more confident in my ability and take my time and the knockout will come.”

Williams, who had a promising amateur career, decided to turn pro this year after he was unable to qualify for the 2018 Olympic Games held in London, England.

His last major international competition was the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia in 2018 where he lost to Jonas Jonas from Namibia in his first bout.

Williams then made a successful debut with a first-round TKO victory over Carlos Monroy on February 9 at the Restaurant Los Olvidados in Playa del Carmen in Mexico City, Mexico.