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PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 3, 2019) — Unified
154-pound champion and Philadelphia-native Julian "J-Rock" Williams
and hard-hitting contender Jeison Rosario went face to face at a
press conference Tuesday as they previewed their showdown that
headlines FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, January
18 from Temple University's Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.
Williams will make a homecoming
defense of his WBA and IBF titles after taking the belts from
Jarrett Hurd in their May battle that is a frontrunner for 2019
Fight of the Year. It is Williams first fight in front of his
hometown crowd since 2011, while the Dominican Republic's Rosario
brings an eight-bout winning streak into his first world title
fight.
The broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will also feature
undefeated rising star Chris "Prime Time" Colbert taking on former
champion Jezreel Corrales for the Interim WBA Super Featherweight
Title as the co-main event.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are
on sale now and can be purchased at
http://www.liacourascenter.com/events or by calling 800-298-4200.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Tuesday
from Temple University's Liacouras Center:
JULIAN WILLIAMS
"It took a lot for us to get the title. We had some bumps in the
road. But me and my team, we just kept battling and fighting
through. We finally got our breakthrough fight and got the titles,
and we wanted to bring the titles right back to Philadelphia. It's
amazing to have this opportunity to come back home and perform in
front of my home crowd.
"Rosario is a really good fighter and I'm not just saying that.
They've been matching him tough and he's been coming through fights
he wasn't supposed to win. I'm expecting a really tough fight and
for him to be in shape He's got 36 minutes to change his life
forever. I was in his exact same position very recently. It would be
extremely arrogant for me to think I can't lose.
"I've been training hard like I always do. I'm in extremely great
shape. On January 18, I'm going to win. I don't know how, but I'm
going to come out on top.
"I haven't actually thought about fight night and what it will feel
like. I can only imagine it will be amazing seeing the people who
have watched me fight since I was a teenager. I'm pretty sure as it
gets closer to the fight, I'll start thinking about it and it will
give me an extra push in camp.
"Our approach is not like the new age way. This is the microwave
era, everything's got be quick and glossy, but that's not the way
boxing is supposed to be. In this era there's a lot of pressure to
be undefeated and act a certain way. But we see boxing as just like
life. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose and we just take it
all in stride.
"I watch a lot of boxing so I've seen this run that Rosario is on
and I've seen his loss. He's been on a good streak so I immediately
knew this would be a good fight. I know he's going to try to come
and take my belts.
"I can see the look in his eye and it reminds me of the look I had
in my eye earlier this year against Hurd. I know he's got a game
plan to beat me, so I have to be fully prepared."
JEISON ROSARIO
"I'm excited to have this fight and thankful to Julian Williams for
giving me this opportunity of a lifetime. He's the best 154-pounder
in the world but we're coming January 18 to take the titles back
home to the Dominican Republic.
"We're working hard to put on a great fight and we want everyone who
watches this fight to get their money's worth. We're going to scrap
it out all the way through.
"Philadelphia is known for tough fighters and tough fights and we're
going to give them more of that on January 18. We're not going to
leave anyone disappointed who watches this fight.
"This fight means everything to me. Ever since a kid I've been
fighting. All of those years combine to one night on January 18.
We're preparing very well to take advantage of the moment. This all
started when I was eight-years-old and I can't wait to get in the
ring.
"The loss that I had made it so that I can stand here right now. It
made me realize what I needed to do. I had the skills, but I had to
learn the work ethic. I learned what I was supposed to do and how I
was supposed to be training.
"My loss was really a blessing. If I had never lost, I would have
never trained the way that I am now and I wouldn't be the fighter
that I am today. I'm just getting better and I'll be at my absolute
best on fight night.
"On January 18, it's going to be like a 'Rocky' movie, we're going
to scrap it out from start to finish. I'm going to end up as the new
Rocky in Philadelphia that night."
STEPHEN EDWARDS, Williams' Trainer
"We finally made it back home with the title after we had to go on
the road to get it. A lot of people didn't think we'd come back with
it, but Julian took care of business. It was a big deal for us to
get a chance to return back home and give our fans who have
supported Julian a chance to see him live and in person.
"I think it's going to be a really good fight. We've been watching
Rosario for a while. They might think they're sneaking up on us, but
they're not. He's a really good fighter with some really good
victories. We don't believe in underdogs, because when two men get
in the ring anyone can win.
"I'm really proud of what Julian did and I think he's going to put
on a great performance on January 18 and I expect Jeison to come to
fight as well.
"I think Julian is the best 154-pounder in the world. So there
aren't any opponents I think Julian couldn't handle. Rosario hit the
lottery. Julian is better when he feels threatened, so I know that
he's going to train hard and do everything he needs to do."
LUIS PEREZ, Rosario's Trainer
"The people in Philadelphia have been very nice and we're happy to
be here. We worked very hard to get to this position and earn this
opportunity Most of all, we want to thank Julian for giving us the
fight. We appreciate it and we have a lot of respect for him.
"We know we're the underdog and we embrace it. Williams knows
himself how to go to the champions' hometown as the underdog and
we're planning to do the same.
"We're training hard for a great fighter like Williams. We're going
to leave it all on the line. We won't leave January 18 saying what
we could have done better. We're doing everything in our power to
give the best performance.
"We think Julian is the best fighter in the division and we embrace
the position we're in. It's going to be a great fight for the city
of Philadelphia because we always come to fight."
# # #
Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW
apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on
FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the
SiriusXM app. |
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