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Julian Williams marched into Jarrett Hurd’s backyard and took the WBA and IBF 154-pound titles tonight in a PBC on FOX main event, outfighting the favored titleholder and earning a clear decision win over 12 rounds.
It was a terrific, hard-hitting fight, with Williams not only proving the superior boxer but able to take any attempts at rallying from Hurd, known as a slow starter who breaks opponents down. He wasn’t able to do that tonight, and all the credit for that goes to Julian Williams and his team.
It’s the sort of win that really shakes up a division and the careers of the men who were in the ring, and it will hopefully get a lot of attention post-fight, because it was a fight and a victory that deserve the attention.
Here’s what some boxing pros had to say on Twitter at the end of and then after the fight.
Let’s start with a big one:
7-1 underdog thank you to every one that doubted me #ANDTHENEW
— JulianJrockWilliams (@Jrockboxing) May 12, 2019
And the rest:
Before the judges call it, ima call it. 119-108 Williams. Congratulations brother. Philly got another champ.
— TEVIN FARMER (@TevinFarmer22) May 12, 2019
No losers tonight. Tremendous fight and even better sportsmanship. @Jrockboxing and @swift_jhurd are each a credit to the sport. Great competitors and class acts. #HurdWilliams
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) May 12, 2019
JRock earned that
— Jesse Hart (@1hollywoodHart) May 12, 2019
It just goes to show you that one loss doesn’t define you. @Jrockboxing lost to Charlo in Dec 2016, but he came back so damn strong and never doubted himself. He made sacrifices and fought his ass off against any and all comers. J Rock is a true epitome of a champion
— Ray Flores (@SBRFlores) May 12, 2019
That’s how a challenger comes in and takes it.. congrats @Jrockboxing
— JERMELL CHARLO (@TwinCharlo) May 12, 2019
J rock took that ish!!!
— Austin Trout (@NoDoubtTrout) May 12, 2019
Wow!!! What a fight!! #HurdVsWilliams
— Kal Yafai (@iam_yafai) May 12, 2019
Both of them are my boys but @Jrockboxing boxed beautifully tonight.@premierboxing #HurdWilliams
— Jamel Herring (@JamelHerring) May 12, 2019
GREAT FIGHT!
— caleb truax (@GoldenCalebT) May 12, 2019
I have it 9-3 @Jrockboxing. Brilliant performance... God I hope they give it to the right man.#HurdWilliams #boxing #PBConFOX
#boxingnews #HurdWilliams #PBConFOX and the new @Jrockboxing congrats #Boxing
— Cornelius Bundrage (@K9boxing) May 12, 2019
Williams deserves to be champ tonight! Hope it goes his way
— Joseph Diaz (@JosephDiazJr) May 12, 2019
This a good ass fight, Jrock looking like he finna become champ #HurdWilliams
— Showstopper (@StephonYoung88) May 12, 2019
I’m happy for @Jrockboxing but my heart is broken for @Swift_JHurd ! I’m a fan of both guys! The best fighter won tonight. What a comeback champion!
— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) May 12, 2019
Hurd is my guy I told him heart to heart after the trout fight he getting hit to much try to limited that shit so you can enjoy your riches in the end that’s real love
— Tony Harrison (@Iamboxing) May 12, 2019
Keep your head up @Swift_JHurd tonight wasn’t your night but a true champ bounces back. Mad respect to you and the fam
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) May 12, 2019