By Alex Pierpaoli
New Haven, CT’s Tramaine The Mighty Midget Williams returns to action this Saturday night at Mohegan Sun Arena. Williams battles Elijah Pierce for the WBC Silver Super Bantamweight Title in the ten round main event. Williams’ last fight was in August of 2022 and has not fought in CT since August of 2020 when he picked up his sole defeat, a 12 round UD, to Angelo Leo at the Uncasville venue.
Still promoted by Roc Nation, Tramaine Williams, a 30 year old southpaw, will headline this week’s card promoted by Rhode Island based promoter Jimmy Burchfield’s CES Fights.
“This kinda made sense for both parties,” Williams explained. “I’m a seat-filler… I’ve known Jimmy Burchfield since I was nine… Right now this is like a mutual partnership.”
The Mighty Midget’s last time through the ropes was in Arizona back in August where he defeated Jetro Pabustan of the Philippines by ten round unanimous decision. Now 20-1 (6) The Mighty Midget looks to become more active.
“I was inactive for two years and when you’re inactive for a year they[sanctioning bodies] take you out. I’ve been taken out [of the WBC rankings]. This is a meaningful fight. That first fight [versus Pabustan] was just to get me back active on BoxRec.”
In May of last year, Williams was scheduled to face Isaac Sackey in Dubai, when the death of UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan resulted in the cancellation of the entire card which would have been broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Arriving in Dubai with just about two weeks to go before fight night, it wasn’t long before the whole event was scrubbed.
“I was actually in Dubai when the president died,” Williams described. “We landed on Tuesday and he died Thursday…When a Muslim dies there’s forty days of mourning. The whole city was closed… Everything was cancelled.”
On Saturday night, Williams faces hard punching Elijah Pierce of Oklahoma City, OK, 16-2 (14), currently ranked 37th in the WBC Super Bantamweight division. Up for grabs is the WBC Silver belt.
“He [Pierce] actually won the Silver before and he didn’t fight within a hundred twenty days so they stripped him,” Williams said.
After a grueling training camp at home in Connecticut, Williams looks to be in excellent condition. FistThingsFirst was present for one of his final sparring sessions where Williams boxed 6 rounds with Stamford, CT’s junior middleweight Chordale Booker, who faces Daniel Aduku of Ghana, in the 8 round co-featured attraction on the Mohegan Sun card this Saturday. Although larger, Booker is also a southpaw just like Williams and the man he’ll be facing, Elijah Pierce. Williams showed elusiveness and a speedy overhand left in sparring, which he’ll need on Saturday night.
“I feel good,” Williams said while skipping rope. “It’s been a long time since I feel this way. Each day that goes on I feel better, more confident. I wasn’t excited, I wasn’t happy with my last performance[versus J. Pabustan]. I feel good this time.”
Saturday’s fight card is scheduled to showcase 9 bouts featuring regional talent, including CT fighters: Nathan Martinez of New Britain, Stevie Jane Coleman of Columbia and Mike Kimbel of Waterbury. The first bout begins at 6pm and tickets are available through CES Fights website and at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office.
Fist Things First 