Julian Williams (boxer)


Julian "J-Rock" Williams is an American professional boxer. He held the WBA, IBF, and IBO light middleweight titles from 2019 to January 2020. As of September 2019, Williams is ranked as the world’s best active light middleweight by The Ring magazine and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and third by BoxRec.

Amateur career

Williams started boxing at the age of 12. He had an amateur record of 77-10. He reached number five in the rankings at national level, although never won a national tournament. Williams' trainer, Stephen Edwards, said that Williams' preparation as an amateur boxer was erratic, so began working on a more rigorous training regime as Williams turned pro.

Professional career

Williams made his professional debut in May 2010, beating Antonio Chaves Fernandez technical knockout in the first round. In April 2013, Williams became the second fighter to stop journeyman Dashon Johnson, improving his record to 12–0–1 with a third-round TKO. In his next fight, Williams won a unanimous decision over former world champion Joachim Alcine. Alcine was dropped three times, but he rallied and won the final three rounds, landing significant shots on Williams. The prospect would survive and take the win. Williams next faced fellow prospect Hugo Centeno Jr., but the fight ended in a no contest after an accidental headbutt.
On 10 December 2016, Williams challenged IBF champion Jermall Charlo. Charlo retained his title with a fifth-round stoppage of Williams. Charlo dropped Williams in the second round with a powerful jab. Williams came back and fought a clever fight, making Charlo miss, slipping punches, and landing some good counters. In round five, Charlo landed a right uppercut, dropping Williams hard. Williams got up, however Charlo went for the finish, and got it with a third knockdown after a barrage of punches ending with a left hook. After the referee stopped the fight, Williams went over to congratulate Charlo. Charlo didn't want to embrace and told Williams, “I don’t want your congratulations, I want your apology.” The crowd, noticing the heat between the two corners, started to boo Charlo. In the post fight interview, Charlo stated Williams had disrespected him leading up to the fight, he also called out Canelo and Golovkin, stating he would move up to middleweight. On 11 May 2019, Williams beat Jarrett Hurd by unanimous decision for the unified light middleweight championship.

Personal life

Julian was raised in West Philadelphia and is a Muslim.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
31Loss27–2–1 Jeison RosarioTKO5, 1:37Jan 18, 2020 Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.SLost WBA, IBF, and IBO light middleweight titles
30Win27–1–1 Jarrett HurdUD12May 11, 2019 EagleBank Arena, Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.Won WBA, IBF, and IBO light middleweight titles
29Win26–1–1 Francisco CastroKO2, 2:40Dec 1, 2018 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
28Win25–1–1 Nathaniel Gallimore12Apr 7, 2018 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
27Win24–1–1 Ishe SmithUD10Nov 18, 2017 Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
26Win23–1–1 Joshua ConleyTKO7, 0:58Jun 30, 2017 Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
25Loss22–1–1 Jermall CharloKO5, 2:06Dec 10, 2016 Galen Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.For IBF light middleweight title
24Win22–0–1 Marcello MatanoTKO7, 2:24Mar 5, 2016 Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
23Win21–0–1 Luciano CuelloTKO1, 1:33Sep 22, 2015 Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
22Win20–0–1 Arman OvsepyanTKO6, 2:43Jun 13, 2015 Bartow Arena, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
21Win19–0–1 Joey HernandezUD10Apr 4, 2015 Colisée Pepsi, Quebec City, Canada
20Win18–0–1 Jamar FreemanTKO8, 0:29Dec 20, 2014 Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, U.S.
19Win17–0–1 Eliezer GonzalezUD8Sep 11, 2014 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
18Win16–0–1 Michael MedinaKO8, 1:59May 24, 2014 Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada
17Win15–0–1 Freddy HernándezTKO3, 0:35Mar 17, 2014 House of Blues, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
16Win14–0–1 Orlando LoraTKO3, 0:34Dec 7, 2013 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
15NC13–0–1 Hugo Centeno Jr.NC4, 0:59Sep 12, 2013 MGM Grand Premier Ballroom, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For vacant WBC International light middleweight title
14Win13–0–1 Joachim AlcineUD8Jun 22, 2013 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
13Win12–0–1 Dashon JohnsonTKO3, 1:43Apr 20, 2013 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
12Win11–0–1 Jeremiah WigginsTKO7, 1:05Jan 26, 2013 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
11Win10–0–1 Jonel TapiaTKO7, 2:10Nov 17, 2012 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win9–0–1 Hector RosarioUD8Apr 28, 2012 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win8–0–1 Eberto MedinaUD6Sep 30, 2011 National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
8Win7–0–1 Raul RodriguezUD6Jul 22, 2011 Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, U.S.
7Draw6–0–1 Francisco Santana6May 13, 2011 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
6Win6–0 Marteze LoganUD4Mar 19, 2011 Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
5Win5–0 Allan MooreTKO1, 0:28Jan 29, 2011 Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
4Win4–0 Mario Evangelista6Dec 3, 2010 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
3Win3–0 Wes ParkhurstTKO1, 1:27Nov 9, 2010 Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
2Win2–0 Dean Peters Jr.TKO1, 0:24Oct 1, 2010 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
1Win1–0 Antonio Chaves1, 1:00May 7, 2010 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.