Julian “J-Rock” Williams took the fight to unified super welterweight champion Jarrett Hurd on Saturday night and won a majority decision, taking the WBA, IBF and IBO belts. Williams (27-1-1, 16 KO’s) floored Hurd in the second round and forced the action all night in an entertaining contest in front of Hurd’s hometown supporters in Farifax, VA.
Official scores were 116-111, 115-112 and 115-112. InTheCorner.Net scored the fight 116-111 for Williams.
Hurd (23-1, 16 KO’s) is a notoriously slow starter and J-Rock was waiting for him and took advantage early. After winning the first round on the basis of more activity, Williams stunned the now-former champ with a combination that sent Hurd to the canvas in the second round. Hurd heated up after the first few rounds but Williams didn’t give an inch.
Williams asserted himself in this training camp as he tried to bounce back from a previous title challenge loss to Jermall Charlo in 2016. That loss put Williams on a path of comeback fights and when he got another title shot he poured his heart and soul into his preparation.
Hurd presents a matchup problem for just about anybody in the 154-lb division with long arms and power in both hands. He’s known as a volume puncher once he gets into gear. Williams neutralized all of these points and came back with his own sharp attack. Both fighters were marked with Hurd bleeding from his right eye while Williams had swelling around his left eye. When Hurd let his hands go, he was able to get strong power shots in and uppercuts on the inside. But Williams never let him get any momentum. For every Hurd action, there was a counter by Williams.
An emotional J-Rock addressed the intensity of his training and the respect he has for Hurd and his family in the ring after the fight. The fighters praised each other in post-fight interviews, a show of mutual respect. There is a rematch clause but Williams didn’t commit to an immediate sequel.
