Julian Williams (boxer)


Julian "J-Rock" Williams is an American professional boxer. He held the WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO light middleweight titles from 2019 to 2020.
𝕏 Jrockboxing

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, β€œI 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.
On 11 May 2019, Williams beat Jarrett Hurd by unanimous decision for the unified light middleweight championship. In an early fight of the year candidate, both fighters went at war, but it was Williams who managed to drop Hurd in the second round, and got the better of him throughout the fight.
In the first time defending his belts, Williams faced Jeison Rosario, who was ranked #5 by the IBF and #9 by the WBA, at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 18, 2020. Williams boxed well in the beginning, but Rosario looked like the bigger man and was holding up well to Williams' attacks. In the fifth round, Rosario dominated Williams, shaking Williams up badly and forcing the referee to stop the fight to get the win.
Williams faced Yoenis Tellez for the WBA interim light-middleweight title at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on March 1, 2025, losing via unanimous decision.

Personal life

Julian was raised in West Philadelphia and is a Muslim.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
36LossYoenis TellezUD12Mar 1, 2025Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.For vacant WBA interim light-middleweight title
35Win29–4–1 Gustavo David VittoriTKO2, 0:43Jan 12, 2024Showboat Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
34Loss28–4–1 Carlos AdamesTKO9, 2:45Jun 24, 2023Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.For WBC interim middleweight title
33Win28–3–1 Rolando MansillaUD8Nov 5, 2022Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S
32Loss27–3–1 Vladimir HernandezSD10Oct 9, 2021T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
31Loss27–2–1 Jeison RosarioTKO5, 1:37Jan 18, 2020Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.SLost WBA, IBF, and IBO light-middleweight titles
30Win27–1–1 Jarrett HurdUD12May 11, 2019EagleBank Arena, Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.Won WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO light-middleweight titles
29Win26–1–1 Francisco CastroKO2, 2:40Dec 1, 2018Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
28Win25–1–1 Nathaniel Gallimore12Apr 7, 2018Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
27Win24–1–1 Ishe SmithUD10Nov 18, 2017Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
26Win23–1–1 Joshua ConleyTKO7, 0:58Jun 30, 2017Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
25Loss22–1–1 Jermall CharloKO5, 2:06Dec 10, 2016Galen Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.For IBF light-middleweight title
24Win22–0–1 Marcello MatanoTKO7, 2:24Mar 5, 2016Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
23Win21–0–1 Luciano CuelloTKO1, 1:33Sep 22, 2015Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas light-middleweight title
22Win20–0–1 Arman OvsepyanTKO6, 2:43Jun 13, 2015Bartow Arena, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas light-middleweight title
21Win19–0–1 Joey HernandezUD10Apr 4, 2015ColisΓ©e Pepsi, Quebec City, Canada
20Win18–0–1 Jamar FreemanTKO8, 0:29Dec 20, 2014Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light-middleweight title
19Win17–0–1 Eliezer GonzalezUD8Sep 11, 2014Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
18Win16–0–1 Michael MedinaKO8, 1:59May 24, 2014Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada
17Win15–0–1 Freddy HernΓ‘ndezTKO3, 0:35Mar 17, 2014House of Blues, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
16Win14–0–1 Orlando LoraTKO3, 0:34Dec 7, 2013Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
15NC13–0–1 Hugo Centeno Jr.NC4, 0:59Sep 12, 2013MGM Grand Premier Ballroom, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For vacant WBC International light-middleweight title
14Win13–0–1Joachim AlcineUD8Jun 22, 2013Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
13Win12–0–1Dashon JohnsonTKO3, 1:43Apr 20, 2013Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
12Win11–0–1Jeremiah WigginsTKO7, 1:05Jan 26, 2013Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
11Win10–0–1Jonel TapiaTKO7, 2:10Nov 17, 2012Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win9–0–1Hector RosarioUD8Apr 28, 2012Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win8–0–1Eberto MedinaUD6Sep 30, 2011National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
8Win7–0–1Raul RodriguezUD6Jul 22, 2011Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, U.S.
7Draw6–0–1Francisco Santana6May 13, 2011Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
6Win6–0Marteze LoganUD4Mar 19, 2011Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
5Win5–0Allan MooreTKO1, 0:28Jan 29, 2011Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.
4Win4–0Mario Evangelista6Dec 3, 2010Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
3Win3–0Wes ParkhurstTKO1, 1:27Nov 9, 2010Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
2Win2–0Dean Peters Jr.TKO1, 0:24Oct 1, 2010Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
1Win1–0Antonio Chaves1, 1:00May 7, 20102300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.