02/28/2025
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
Former unified junior middleweight champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams has been here before—doubted, counted out, and facing a younger, hungrier opponent who many believe is on the fast track to stardom. On March 1, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, Williams (29-4-1, 16 KOs) will step into the ring against Cuban power-puncher Yoenis Téllez for the Interim WBA Junior Middleweight Championship. Their bout is part of the stacked PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view, headlined by Gervonta “Tank” Davis defending his world title against Lamont Roach.
Williams enters this fight looking to right the ship after a difficult stretch in his career. His last championship outing in June 2023 ended in a stoppage loss to WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames. It was yet another setback for a fighter who has spent the last few years searching for consistency. But rather than dwell on the past, Williams is embracing the challenge ahead.
“I want to be great,” Williams said. “When there’s a gun, you don’t run away. You run toward the gun. That’s my mentality. I want to be great.”
Many see this fight as Téllez’s opportunity to make a statement against a former champion, and he has not been shy about his intentions, even saying he plans to “hunt” Williams in the ring.
Williams, however, isn’t buying into the hype. He acknowledges Téllez’s talent but believes his own skill set will be the difference on fight night.
“He’s a good young fighter, but we don’t know too much about him,” Williams admitted. “I let my team study his tape, and we just go in the gym and work on the plan. We’re fine-tuning some things, and we’re going to show up March 1 ready to win.”
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
Williams’ confidence doesn’t come from his experience alone. He knows that many will point to his past battles—his wins, losses, and hard lessons learned at the highest level—but he refuses to lean on that alone as his key to victory.
“I’m not dependent on experience. I’m dependent on skillset and being the best Julian Williams that I can be,” he explained. “Experience can actually be overrated. I’m focused on being prepared and being me.”
Williams has a chance to regain everything he has lost in recent years. Since his stunning 2019 victory over Jarrett Hurd to claim the unified junior middleweight titles, Williams has struggled to reclaim his championship form. A loss to Jeison Rosario in his first title defense derailed his momentum, and subsequent setbacks have left many questioning whether he can once again compete at the elite level.
Williams, however, isn’t letting the doubters shake his belief. He understands the magnitude of this opportunity and is embracing the pressure that comes with it.
“Winning would be a dream come true,” he said. “Regaining everything I lost in 36 minutes. That’s the goal.”
Photo Credit: Premier Boxing Champions
Even as the underdog, Williams remains undeterred. He knows that many see this as Téllez’s moment, but he also knows that fights aren’t won in the media or on paper.
“I don’t care what he says,” Williams said in response to Téllez’s confident pre-fight talk. “When the bell rings, we will see.”
As Williams prepares to step back into the ring on Saturday night, he does so knowing that he has one more chance to prove that he still belongs among the best. And for him, the key to victory isn’t just about experience or physicality—it’s about skill.
On fight night, Williams will get his chance to remind the boxing world of just that.
“We’re gonna see on March 1,” he said. “The adrenaline is rushing, and the stakes are higher here. There is definitely a difference between fighting C+ and C- contenders and a world-class fighter like me.”
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