Julian Williams Passes on Immediate Rematch, Rosario Open for Other Fights
A little over one year ago the Dominican Republican boxer Jeison “Banana” Rosario (20-1-1, 14 KO’s) seriously shook up the super welterweight division. The relatively unknown fighter, at the time, accomplished this by dethroning the recently crowned WBA, IBF and IBO super welterweight champion Julian “J Rock” Williams (27-2-1, 16 KO’s).
Not only did Rosario win the contest, he out-powered and ultimately stopped Williams in the fifth round of that all-action brawl. Before he even had a chance to leave the ring, J Rock assured that he would enact his immediate rematch clause in order to run the fight back. However, it now appears that this will not be the case.
REMATCH RENEGE
To clarify some of the confusion surrounding this matter Rosario’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing, appeared on ThaBoxingVoice to answer a number of questions.
To begin, Lewkowicz explained that according to the original contract, Williams had until February 27 to let it be known that he wanted to utilize the rematch clause. Yet, that time has come and gone without any further business being conducted. Since J Rock opted not to go straight in for the do-over, this frees Rosario up to secure the next best available fight.
To his knowledge J Rock chose to forego his option in order to take the time to undergo a minor but necessary surgery.
“Well we have a contract that everyone signed for the rematch that expired and when it expired, its void. That happened on February 27 I believe…we had a few conversations but nothing concrete, he [Williams] let it go.”
“I believe it was the right move for him because first of all I believe he has health issues and he needs a minor operation. So why would he do something to hurt Rosario? Williams is one of the nicest persons you can meet in boxing and he is very honorable and he understood he could not stop the career of Rosario.” ~Sampson Lewkowicz
WHO’S NEXT?!
With Williams formally out of the immediate picture, the next natural question is when and who will Rosario shoot to come back to the ring against? Well according to Lewkowicz, the Banana will get back in action this July with an opponent announced by late April.
As far as potential adversaries go, the long time promoter says the leading options are: Jarrett “Swift” Hurd (24-1, 16 KO’s), Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin (22-1, 16 KO’s), Tony “Super Bad” Harrison (28-3, 21 KO’s) and Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (33-1, 17 KO’s). These are great options and any of these would-be selections!
“At this time, I cannot claim opponents, it’d be really challenging. It will be definitely that top five guys [Jermell] Charlo, [Jarrett] Hurd, [Erickson] Lubin and [Tony] Harrison. One of those guys 100% will be, there is no one else in the runnings. It will be a really tough fight and it will be really a good fight for the people who love our sport.”
“[On when the next fight could be announced]…I would say by April, because if it’s in July, because we will definitely have a date in July, the PBC we already talk about it. PBC will give us a date in July, so now who will be the most likely will be in April, maybe late April.” ~Sampson Lewkowicz
MANDATORY MASH-UP
It was also revealed in the short Q&A that Rosario had relinquished his IBO super welterweight title. Aside from that tidbit, the first mandatory that Team Rosario will have to contend with is Russian IBF mandatory challenger Bakhram Murtazaliev (17-0, 13 KO’s). Although when that will be is still up in the air. So with all this information floating around, it will be very intriguing to see who Team Rosario pens a fight with next!
“But again there are other boxers who deserve a shot to the title. Especially, we have an obligation with the IBF for its mandatory [Bakhram Murtazaliev].
…I believe we only have two belts, the IBO was relinquished. We sent a letter to Mr. [Ed] Levine [IBO president] saying that we give up the IBO for another fighter to have the opportunity to fight for that title.” ~Sampson Lewkowicz
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By: Bakari Simpson
