Julian Williams Going to Middleweight; Jermall Charlo Rematch Possible
Former unified junior middleweight champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams (27-2-1, 16ko) has had a good career full of highs and lows. However, the Philadelphia fighter is looking to start a new chapter by moving up to the middleweight division.
J-Rock had to bounce back from his first career loss to then-IBF champion Jermall “Hit Man” Charlo (30-0, 22ko) back in 2016. The former unified champion would spend the next three years climbing his way back into title contention. It would all pay off when he shocked the boxing world by defeating then-unified champion Jarrett “Swift” Hurd (24-1, 16ko) in 2019.
However, the party soon came to a close in J-Rock’s kick-off into the 2020 boxing season. Williams would suffer his second knockout defeat in a hometown title defense against Jeison “Banana” Rosario (20-1-1, 14ko). The former champion has expressed wanting to get the titles back. Although, during an interview with Premier Boxing Champions’ Time Out with Ray Flores, he also went into detail about moving up to middleweight and why.
“I think I have about another two more fights, then I’m going up.”
“Those extra six pounds is a lot. […] Only fighters really understand how to cut weight and what you feel like if you could have an extra six pounds. I’ve been fighting at this weight since I was 15. I went to the silver gloves as a 15 year old; I fought at 147. When I came back I turned open class and I fought at 152. And when I turned pro, I fought 154. So I’ve been fighting between 147 and 154 my entire life. So I think it’s getting to be a little much and I’m going to go up soon.”
POSSIBLE REMATCH
Now when the former champion moves up, there is a fight that everyone should be on the lookout for and that’s a rematch with the WBC middleweight champion Charlo. Of course, there are other possibilities like Chris Eubank Jr (29-2, 22ko) that would be a good match-up, but Jermall Charlo would undoubtedly be the primary target.
Williams would like nothing more than to avenge that crushing defeat back in 2016 and become a two-divisional champion. This is provided that the WBC champion gets past a tough task in contender Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko (13-2, 10ko).
If J-Rock regains the titles or looks good in a debut bout at middleweight and the Hit Man is victorious in his third title defense, then expect the boxing promotional machine to be in full effect.
By: Garrisson Bland
