Stephen Edwards Been Watching This Kid
Since the very inception of his career, WBA, IBF and IBO world super welterweight champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams (27-1-1, 16 KO’s) has been matched tough. While embodying the style and temperament of a throwback fighter, Williams has seemed to delight in facing harsh opposition. This is his current situation as he prepares to face Jeison “Banana” Rosario (19-1-1, 13 KO’s) on January 18 live on FOX.
A TIGHT BOND
Throughout all his travels, J-Rock has maintained Stephen “Breadman” Edwards as his chief second. This golden partnership found its genesis while Williams was still an amateur. Thankfully, bigger checks and the bright lights have not loosened their cohesion. This is largely probably due to them both being something of peas in the same pod.
Just as Williams has faith in his ability to win, so does Edwards. This is precisely why each are always so open and willing to face the most dangerous option available. Such was the case with Rosario. Yet, just because they like to play rough does not mean that Team Williams is foolhardy or blindly making reckless business decisions. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.
RESPECT YOUR ENEMY
One of the main reasons that J-Rock and Breadman have enjoyed the success that they have is due to their meticulous preparation. This preparation includes both physical training in the gym and cerebral groundwork researching their opposition.
On the reconnaissance side of their preparation, Team Williams has kept close tabs on Rosario for some time now. They have long recognized his talents and kept in mind that a future fight was always a possibility. Now, that theoretical bout has sprang from the realm of speculation and landed firmly into tangible reality. Breadman assures Team Rosario that they have not in anyway overlooked them.
If anything, it’s quite the opposite. Rather than play them short or underestimate their craft and skill, Williams and Edwards have dutifully studied Banana’s diligent body of work. With January 18 rapidly barreling toward them, Team Williams will find their prepared dossier on Rosario very useful.
“I think it’s going to be a really good fight, we’ve been watching him for a while. So they may think they’re sneaking up on us but they’re not. I know exactly who he is. He is a real good fighter, he’s come off some real good victories. So we don’t believe in all that underdog stuff, when two men get in the ring you never know who is going to win the fight. Julian knows that.
“So it’s going to be a really good fight, I’m really proud of Julian, what he did and I think he is going to put on a great show for everybody come January 18. And hopefully his opponent puts on a good show.” ~Stephen Edwards, Julian Williams chief second
The question remains: will it be enough? Or can the Dominican Republican infiltrate the situation and strip Williams of his trio of titles? As fight fans, it will be a supreme delight to witness who comes out on top of this future potential barn-burner. Regardless of who prevails on fight night, 3kingsboxing will continue to report on this intriguing super welterweight showdown.
By: Bakari Simpson
