Julian Williams
Julian Williams

Julian Williams

“J Rock”

RECORD

29 - 4 - 1

KOs

17

Weight 159.5 lbs (72.27 kg)

Age 34

Home Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,

Complete Stats

Philadelphian Julian “J-Rock” Williams proved he was as tough as his Philly roots—working all the way to the top of the 154-pound division to become a unified world champion. Read Bio

Last Fight

Win vs Gustavo David Vittori

Jan 12, 2024 / Showboat Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Gustavo David Vittori by TKO in Round 2 of 8

Latest News

Julian Williams News
Oct 10, 2021 / Fury vs Wilder III, Deontay Wilder, Frank Sanchez, Robert Helenius, Adam Kownacki, Julian Williams

Fury digs deep to win an unforgettable classic over Wilder

One of the greatest trilogies in heavyweight history ends with one of the greatest matches in boxing history as Fury retains his WBC crown in a wild back-and-forth Saturday night in Las Vegas.

May 6, 2020 / The PBC Podcast, Caleb Plant, Julian Williams

This Week on The PBC Podcast: Caleb Plant & Julian Williams

Two of the world's best are eager to get back in the ring and lay claim to the top spot in their respective divisions.

Jan 19, 2020 / Williams vs Rosario, Julian Williams, Chris Colbert, Joey Spencer, Vito Mielnicki Jr.

Shocker! Jeison Rosario KO's Julian Williams in Five

Heavy underdog Rosario spoils Williams' Philadelphia homecoming to claim the WBA and IBF World Super Welterweight titles Saturday night on FOX.

Fights

Julian Williams Fights

Win vs Gustavo David Vittori 29-15-1

Jan 12, 2024 Showboat Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Gustavo David Vittori by TKO in Round 2 of 8

LOSS vs Carlos Adames 24-1-0

Jun 24, 2023 The Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Carlos Adames WINS against Julian Williams by TKO in Round 9 of 12

Win vs Rolando Wenceslao Mansilla 18-11-1

Nov 05, 2022 Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Rolando Wenceslao Mansilla by UD in Round 8 of 8

Loss vs Vladimir Hernandez 16-6-0

Oct 09, 2021 T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Julian Williams LOSES to Vladimir Hernandez by SD in Round 10 of 10

Win vs Brian Mendoza 22-4-0

Jun 26, 2021 State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia

Julian Williams WINS against Brian Mendoza by in Round of 10

Loss vs Jeison Rosario 24-4-2

Jan 18, 2020 The Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Julian Williams LOSES to Jeison Rosario by TKO in Round 4 of 12

WIN vs Jarrett Hurd 25-3-1

May 11, 2019 EagleBank Arena, Fairfax, Virginia

Jarrett Hurd LOSES to Julian Williams by UD in Round 12 of 12

Win vs Francisco Javier Castro 28-8-0

Dec 01, 2018 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Francisco Javier Castro by KO in Round 2 of 8

Win vs Nathaniel Gallimore 20-1-1

Apr 07, 2018 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Nathaniel Gallimore by MD in Round 12 of 12

WIN vs Ishe Smith 29-11-0

Nov 18, 2017 The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, Neveda

Ishe Smith LOSES to Julian Williams  by UD in Round 10 of 10

Win vs Ishe Smith 29-11-0

Nov 18, 2017 Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Ishe Smith by UD in Round 10 of 10

Win vs Joshua Conley 16-3-1

Jun 30, 2017 Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Joshua Conley by TKO in Round 7 of 10

LOSS vs Jermall Charlo 33-0-0

Dec 10, 2016 Galen Center, Los Angeles

Jermall Charlo WINS against Julian Williams by KO in Round 5 of 12

Win vs Marcello Matano 21-4-0

Mar 05, 2016 Sands Bethlehem Event Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Julian Williams WINS against Marcello Matano by TKO in Round 7 of 12

Win vs Luciano Cuello 35-3-0

Sep 22, 2015 Sands Casino, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Julian Williams WINS against Luciano Cuello by TKO in Round 1 of 10

Win vs Luciano Leonel Cuello 35-3-0

Sep 22, 2015 Sands Bethlehem Event Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Luciano Leonel Cuello by TKO in Round 1 of 10

Win vs Arman Ovsepyan 14-4-0

Jun 13, 2015 Bartow Arena, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Arman Ovsepyan by TKO in Round 6 of 10

Win vs Joey Hernandez 27-5-1

Apr 04, 2015 Pepsi Coliseum, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Julian Williams WINS against Joey Hernandez by UD in Round 10 of 10

Win vs Jamar Freeman 13-3-2

Dec 20, 2014 Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Jamar Freeman by TKO in Round 8 of 10

Win vs Eliezer Gonzalez 14-0-0

Sep 11, 2014 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, The Joint, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Eliezer Gonzalez by UD in Round 8 of 8

Win vs Michael Medina 26-4-2

May 24, 2014 Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Julian Williams WINS against Michael Medina by KO in Round 8 of 10

Win vs Freddy Hernandez 30-6-0

Mar 17, 2014 House of Blues, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Freddy Hernandez by KO in Round 3 of 10

Win vs Orlando Lora 29-4-2

Dec 07, 2013 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Orlando Lora by TKO in Round 3 of 10

No Contest vs Hugo Centeno Jr 19-0-0

Sep 12, 2013 MGM Grand, MGM Conference Center, Premier Ballroom, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Julian Williams Hugo Centeno Jr by NC in Round 4 of 10

Win vs Joachim Alcine 33-4-1

Jun 22, 2013 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Joachim Alcine by UD in Round 8 of 8

Win vs Dashon Johnson 14-10-3

Apr 20, 2013 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Dashon Johnson by TKO in Round 3 of 6

Win vs Jeremiah Wiggins 10-1-1

Jan 26, 2013 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, The Joint, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Jeremiah Wiggins by TKO in Round 7 of 8

Win vs Jonel Tapia 8-2-1

Nov 17, 2012 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Jonel Tapia by TKO in Round 7 of 8

Win vs Hector Rosario 7-1-2

Apr 28, 2012 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Hector Rosario by UD in Round 8 of 8

Win vs Eberto Medina 5-6-1

Sep 30, 2011 National Guard Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Eberto Medina by UD in Round 6 of 6

Win vs Raul Rodriguez 2-5-1

Jul 22, 2011 Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Raul Rodriguez by UD in Round 6 of 6

Draw vs Francisco Santana 12-2-0

May 13, 2011 Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California, USA

Julian Williams DRAWS with Francisco Santana by PTS in Round 6 of 6

Win vs Marteze Logan 26-44-2

Mar 19, 2011 Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Marteze Logan by UD in Round 4 of 4

Win vs Allan Moore 2-9-0

Jan 29, 2011 Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Allan Moore by TKO in Round 1 of 4

Win vs Mario Evangelista 3-7-0

Dec 03, 2010 Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Mario Evangelista by UD in Round 6 of 6

Win vs Wes Parkhurst 0-1-0

Nov 09, 2010 Remington Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Wes Parkhurst by TKO in Round 1 of 4

Win vs Dean Peters Jr 1-2-0

Oct 01, 2010 Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Dean Peters Jr by TKO in Round 1 of 4

Win vs Antonio Chaves Fernandez 0-4-0

May 07, 2010 South Philly Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Julian Williams WINS against Antonio Chaves Fernandez by TKO in Round 1 of 4

Stats

Julian Williams “J Rock”

  • WINS 29
  • LOSSES 4
  • DRAWS 1
  • KOs 17

Weight 159.5 lbs (72.27 kg)

Height 5'10" (1.78 m)

Reach 72½" (184 cm)

  • Born

    April 05, 1990
  • Age

    34
  • Country

    USA
  • Born in

    Philadelphia, PA
  • Trains in

    Philadelphia, PA
  • Stance

  • Rounds Boxed

    205
  • KO Percentage

    58.62%
  • Boxing Hero

    Bernard Hopkins

Fighter data provided by BoxRec Ltd. View disclaimer

Bio

Julian Williams Bio

Philadelphia has a rich boxing history, with the City of Brotherly Love producing dozens of world champions in the sport. Julian “J-Rock” Williams is adding to that legacy, becoming the unified super welterweight world champion and remaining one of the best fighters in the world.

A photo posted by @julianwilliams (@jrocboxs) on

Another Philly fighter is born

Williams initially was into basketball as a kid, but he began boxing at the age of 12 after talking to a fighter who he saw running every day. That meeting led Williams to visit the gym, where he soon began training and competing in amateur bouts.

“I stepped in the ring and I knew I was going to be a champion. Right there, I knew I wanted to box,” Williams told MaxBoxing.com in 2014. “I can’t explain it. It was just a feeling when I got in the ring that this is what I wanted to do and I’ve been boxing ever since.”

He won the 2005 Silver Golden Gloves Regional title at 15 years old, then the Junior Olympic Regionals the following year, but he couldn’t break through on the national level. Williams began working in 2007 with trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards, who encouraged the fighter to get serious about his training and diet.

Competing at 152 pounds, Williams lost to Errol Spence Jr. in the 2009 U.S. National Championships, and then to Miroslav Lokes at the 2009 National Golden Gloves. He then decided to turn professional, ending his amateur career with a record of 77-10.

Julian Williams and Joachim Alcine
Julian Williams lands a big left hand against Joachim Alcine during their fight in Brooklyn, New York, on June 22, 2013.

A knockout from the start

Williams opened his pro career with three straight first-round TKOs, beginning with Antonio Chavez Fernandez in May 2010.

Under the guidance of Edwards, Williams honed his ring skills as began his climb within the 154-pound division. After going 4-0-1 in five fights in 2011, Williams was less active in 2012, winning a unanimous decision over Hector Rosario in April before gaining a seventh-round TKO of Jonel Tapia in November.

Williams increased his profile in 2013 with bouts against five veteran opponents with a combined record of 105-18-7. After earning third-round stoppages of both Jeremiah Wiggins and Dashon Johnson early in the year, Williams then won an eight-round unanimous decision over former 154-pound world champion Joachim Alcine in Brooklyn, New York, in June.

Williams’ year was not without heartbreak, though, as his mother died in August, one month before he took on unbeaten Hugo Centeno Jr. in Las Vegas. The fight ended in a no contest when an early accidental clash of heads resulted in Centeno being cut and the bout being stopped.

Williams got back into the ring in December, when he stopped veteran Orlando Lora in the third round to improve to 14-0-1.

Julian Williams and Joey Hernandez
Julian Williams works the body during his win over Joey Hernandez in Quebec City on April 4, 2015. (Lucas Noonan/Premier Boxing Champions)

Big steps toward title contention

Williams continued his tear through the division in 2014. In March, he dropped former world title contender Freddy Hernandez with a counter right to the head in the opening minute of their bout in Boston before finishing him off with a left cross to the head in the third round.

He then scored an eighth-round KO of tough-nosed veteran Michael Medina in Montreal in May with a pinpoint series of punches.

In a battle of undefeated prospects in September 2014, Williams pitched a shutout on all three judges’ scorecards over eight rounds in Las Vegas to defeat Eliezer Gonzalez, who was 14-0 entering the fight.

Williams wrapped up 2014 with an eighth-round TKO of Jamar Freeman in Shelton, Washington, in December.

He stepped up his pursuit of a world title in April 2015, when he won a 10-round unanimous decision over seasoned southpaw Joey Hernandez in Quebec City. He then earned a sixth-round TKO over Arman Ovsepyan in Birmingham, Alabama, in June 2015 to run his record to 20-0-1.

A World Title Shot and a Lesson Learned

On December 10, 2016, Williams challenged for his world title, taking on undefeated IBF World Super Welterweight Champion Jermall Charlo at the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles.

Williams was dropped in the first by a hard, straight left from Charlo. Undeterred, he found his footing in the second and began controlling the action, landing sharp counters on the aggressive champion.

The see-saw action continued until midway through the fifth, when a momentary defensive lapse allowed Charlo to land a big right uppercut, dropping Williams a second time. He gamely rose to his feet but the ensuing combination dropped him again, forcing the fight’s stoppage.

"I just got caught. He just caught me with a shot," Williams said. "All I wanted to do is win."

Julian Williams and Nathaniel Gallimore
Julian Williams digs to the body against Nathaniel Gallimore

Bouncing Back

Williams returned to his winning ways in his next bout, a seventh-round TKO over Joshua Conley in June 2017.

The victory set up a showdown versus former world champion Ishe Smith in November 2017. Williams’ skillset proved too much for Smith to overcome. The Philadelphia native cruised to a wide 10-round unanimous decision, serving notice to the boxing world that he was still an elite fighter.

In April 2018, Williams took on the streaking Nathaniel Gallimore in a classic grudge match. Gallimore made several big claims in the days leading up to the IBF title eliminator bout. Once the first bell rang, “J-Rock” let his fists do the talking. Williams used his superior boxing and counterpunching skills to keep Gallimore off-balance, on his way to 12-round majority decision.

Strap Season

The win set up a showdown versus WBA and IBF World Super Welterweight Champion “Swift” Jarrett Hurd on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia, live on PBC on FOX.

Hurd, who hailed from neighboring Accokeek, Maryland, was a decisive favorite to retain his belts and remain undefeated. Williams, however, had an eye on redemption. This was his second chance at a world title, possibly his last.

Williams delivered his performance on the biggest stage of his career, dropping the champ in the second round and then proceeding to outbox and outbrawl Hurd in one of the year’s best bouts. After 12 rounds, all three judges saw it in Williams’ favor, by scores 116-111, 115-112, 115, 112. Williams was now the new unified 154-pound world champion.

"I am just overwhelmed,” Williams said. “This is such a great feeling. I outclassed him. I am one of the best fighters in the world. Maybe I wasn't ready for the title the first time I got the shot (against Jermall Charlo in 2016). I took the loss. I took it like a man and the whole world doubted me.”

On Saturday, January 18, Williams returned to his hometown of Philadelphia, taking on the dangerous Jeison Rosario at the Liacouras Center, live on FOX PBC Fight Night

However, a victory wasn't meant to be as Rosario scored a huge upset, stopping Williams in five. 

“I wasn’t surprised he was so good,” Williams said. “I told everybody he’s a real fighter. I have to accept it. The cut blurred my vision a little bit but it wasn’t the reason why I lost. He was the better fighter tonight. We’ve got a rematch clause. I’ll see him again soon. I’ll be back.”

Williams returned to the ring on October 9, 2021, losing a hotly-contested split decision to Vladimir Hernandez at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Hernández won on two cards by scores of 97-93 and 96-94 respectively, while a third card read 96-94 for Williams.

Now campaigning at middleweight, Williams faced Rolando Mansilla in November 2022. Williams easily withstood the gutsy charges of Mansilla, landing the cleaner shots from the outside and in close waters to win an eight-round unanimous decision. However in June 2023, Williams suffered a ninth-round TKO loss to Interim WBC Middleweight Champion Carlos Adames in a PBC headliner at The Armory in Minneapolis, live on SHOWTIME. 

My actions will speak louder than my words.