The Dominator

Williams drops and shocks Hurd in thriller, writes Sean Nam

- Sean Nam

WHEN Julian Williams was brutally shortcircuited in 2016 by then 154-pound IBF champion Jermall Charlo, he may as well have disappeared from the face of the canvas, considering how few times his name was brought up in ensuing conversations. The same boxing peanut gallery that once hyped Williams as Philadelphia’s best-kept secret cast him aside like used handwraps after his loss.

Williams, however, took the snub in his stride. He proceeded to tune out the hubbub on social media and doubled down on his time in the gym, humbled and quieted, yes, but still confident that he had better days ahead of him. In the next three years, Williams would reel off four consecutive victories and before he knew it, he found himself at the threshold of another world title shot.