Julian Williams-Jeison Rosario set for January 18th in Philadelphia

According to The Ring, Julian Williams’ January 18th IBF/WBA title defense will see him take on IBF #6/WBA #13 Jeison Rosario in a Philadelphia-based PBC on Fox headliner. Co-star Stephen Fulton “may” face Lorenzo Parra II, who sits one spot above him in the WBA super bantamweight rankings.

The 24-year-old Rosario (19-1-1, 13 KO) obviously isn’t most people’s first choice for a debut defense, but he makes sense rankings-wise. On the IBF side, the three head of him are Carlos Adames (near-guaranteed to fight Patrick Teixeira for the WBO belt once Jaime Munguia moves up), Jarrett Hurd (already said no to the rematch), and Bakhram Murtazaliev (just fought two days ago). The only feasible options on the WBA side who aren’t already booked or otherwise occupied are his fellow “champions” and maybe #6 Israil Madrimov, who is nobody’s first choice for a debut defense.

Thus, the Dominican gets to put his eight-fight unbeaten streak on the line against “J-Rock” Williams (27-1-1, 16 KO), who hasn’t fought since his upset of Hurd this past May. Said streak most recently saw him edge future Jermell Charlo victim Jorge Cota by split decision.

Fulton (17-0, 8 KO) is a strong 25-year old prospect who was briefly linked to a clash with division titlist Brandon Figueroa. Parra (20-1, 15 KO) has beaten exactly two opponents with winning records and lost a decision to Yonfrez Parejo in his only notable fight to date.