DAVARRYL WILLIAMSON: A "TOUCH OF CLASS"
By Stephen S. Johnson
INSIDE BOXING (June 15, 2002) - Professional boxing offers much in the way of pugilistic entertainment. What it can offer in the way of God and family is what heavyweight contender DaVarryl Williamson, or as he is commonly referred to "Touch of Sleep", hopes to inject as well.
The 6 foot 4 and 212 pound Williamson (16-1, 15 KO's) has made a somewhat
dramatic charge into the heavyweight division after a stellar amateur career
that began at age 25. Most boxers are ready for retirement at the age when
DaVarryl was just getting started.
DaVarryl Williamson is not your typical professional prizefighter. He comes from East Washington, D.C. and knows first hand how poverty and despair can cause one to lose hope. But that was what made DaVarryl even more determined that he would become "inner city kid wins despite all odds" rather than "there is no hope for those inner city kids".
After attending schools in Washington, D.C. DaVarryl was accepted at a small NCAA credited school in Nebraska (Wayne State University) where he shined as a student athlete. Williamson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation from the same Wayne State University in the summer of 1993.
One requirement of his Wayne State University undergraduate work was that DaVarryl do an internship. The DESERT MOUNTAIN resort in Phoenix, Arizona was chosen. Being titled the Fitness Director helped DaVarryl realize a portion of his dream combined in one…being able to teach and learn at the same time.
If this wasn't enough, DaVarryl has a side that only a true thespian can appreciate. He participated in numerous one-act plays and loved being a part of children's plays. Being able to teach kids and learn from them at the same time is one of those experiences he will never forget. This particular experience he speaks of with a heartfelt fondness.
ROXY's NIGHT CLUB in Phoenix, Arizona was the place where DaVarryl could have possibly become the next D.L.Hughley or Bernie Mac. He was the chosen local opener for such comedy acts as Chris Tucker, Joe Torrey and Tommy Davidson. DaVarryl thoroughly enjoyed this year.
In 1994 boxing coach Larry Gutos of the SAR BOXING CLUB in Scottsdale,
Arizona was asked by DaVarryl to assess whether or not he saw any boxing skills
he might possess.
Larry Gutos would be the man responsible for DaVarryl Williamson pursuing yet another passion in his life. This particular passion would be life altering to say the least.
Larry Gutos saw a talent in Williamson and directed one of his associate trainers to begin training DaVarryl. The training program would test the intestinal fortitude it would take for a 25 year old to make an entrance into amateur boxing.
DaVarryl passed the tests and exploded onto the amateur boxing scene. It
didn't take long for amateur boxing fans to take notice of "the 25 year old
college guy" who can FIGHT! Fight he did, while piling up awards and
raising eyebrows along the way.
Now at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan working toward his Masters Degree, DaVarryl could have easily decided to turn professional.
Turning pro at the time would have meant giving up on his dream of Olympic gold and furthering his education. There would be no talk of turning pro until DaVarryl felt he was making the right move at the right time.
Speaking of moves…In 1995 DaVarryl met the lovely Shalifa Cambrelen.
The two met while DaVarryl was in Colorado Springs, Colorado preparing for the 1996 Olympic Boxing Team. Shalifa, a resident of Aurora, Colorado had attended Rangeview High School and was in preparation for those same Olympics as a member of the track team.
Both would be denied the Olympic dream. Shalifa would go down as a result of a torn ACL. DaVarryl would lose a disputable decision and be selected as an alternate in the heavyweight division. But this pair was going on to bigger and better things.
Boxers are supposed to be uneducated, poverty stricken thugs. DaVarryl Williamson was determined to not allow any preconceived notions regarding him, his background or his sport deter him.
In early May of 1998 DaVarryl decided to move to Colorado and raise his family. But first he had to have Shalifa Cambrelen agree to make that journey with him. She agreed.
Earning his Masters Degree in Administrative Services from Northern Michigan University was next on the agenda of defining moments. In June of 1998 that goal was accomplished.
Soon to follow was another defining moment. In November of 1999 DaVarryl Williamson and Shalifa Cambrelen began the journey as man and wife. The Williamson family was now formally intact.
The Williamson household quickly increased in sized with son Dantal and daughter Alayana making the term "family" applicable. There was now a decision to be made as bills had to be paid. Either boxing had to be taken seriously or as a form of recreation and keeping in shape.
Looking back at all the awards from the amateur ranks; National Golden Gloves Champion, United States National Champion, 10-Time National Amateur Champion, Goodwill Games Silver Medalist, USA Olympic Team (First Alternate), Olympic Festival Champion, American Boxing Classic Champion and National Police Athletic League Champion made for quite an impressive resume.
An amateur record of: 120 wins, 17 defeats and 1 draw with 103 of those victories coming by way of knockout. DaVarryl Williamson posted an 88% knockout ratio while fighting as an amateur. The decision to turn professional was that much easier for he and Shalifa when considering those statistics.
Amateur boxing had been good and a lot of fun for DaVarryl, but the time for a life decision had come. Turning pro meant moving on with his life as a maturing family man. DaVarryl was ready to accept the challenge.
DaVarryl Williamson decided he could do both. He could be a professional boxer and could also remain a committed family man. With the approval and support of wife Shalifa, the decision was made that professional boxing had a new force to be reckoned with.
On June 30, 2000. DaVarryl Williamson turned professional in the heavyweight division. He signed an exclusive 3 year deal with Cedric Kushner Promotions and would be trained by George Durbin.
DaVarryl's first pro fight was in Denver's Coliseum against Paul Dowdy. He completely destroyed the journeyman by TKO in round 1.
He would not be defeated until a controversial stoppage by Willie Chapman in Las Vegas dropped his record to 3-1.
He has not tasted defeat since.
13 consecutive victories have made even the most skeptical of boxing critics take note of the "college guy that can fight". DaVarryl Williamson is indeed a "college guy that can fight".
Now that he has made an impact in the ring, there is only one other place DaVarryl Williamson feels he has left to prove anything.
That is in the minds of those who consider boxing as their only chance of survival. Those who feel boxing's the sport where thugs and criminals make their home. Those who think boxing has nothing positive to offer on ANY level. These are the people DaVarryl Williamson has in his sights.
DaVaryl feels all that has come to him has been the result of passion, discipline and humility. Add these three items together and you have the formula for success. Anyone can be successful. He just must put his mind and energy completely into it.
Happy with all aspects of his life, DaVarryl feels the most valuable thing in his life is his family. Seeing them come together as individuals with their own opinions, thoughts and goals is more than gratifying. It gives both he and wife Shalifa a sense of accomplishment.
The Williamsons' feel the success they have achieved is due to their relationship with God. The more blessed they are, the more their spirituality increases. Success has definitely not interrupted the Williamsons' faith.
DaVarryl Williamson is known in the sport of professional boxing as "Touch of Sleep".
He should be referred to as a "Touch of Class".
**Next up for DaVarryl Williamson is scheduled opponent Brian Nix of New York on Friday July 6, 2002 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. That bout can be seen on a tape delay basis as part of the FOX Sports Sunday Night Fights telecast beginning at 6 pm. on Sunday July 7, 2002.