Julian Williams and Stephen Fulton have one thing in frequent and it isn’t simply being titleholders from Philadelphia. Each have taken losses and revived their careers after knockout losses in a title battle.
Fulton defeated Brandon Figueroa this previous weekend in a rematch of their 2022 bout, successful the WBC featherweight title at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas.
Williams, 34, misplaced in his first probability at a title to Jermall Charlo in 2018. Then he gained when he was being written off, upsetting junior middleweight titleholder Jarrett Hurd in a battle that cemented his standing within the sport without end.
Fulton, who defeated Brandon Figueroa this previous weekend in a rematch of their 2022 bout, went from being a pound for pound degree fighter to changing into an after-thought after his loss to Naoya Inoue.
Saturday’s battle was a reminder of simply how good Fulton is.
“I see greatness,” Williams instructed BoxingScene when requested about Fulton’s win on Saturday. “I’m simply tremendous happy with that dude. I believe he put all of it collectively when he needed to on the suitable evening. He boxed an attractive grasp efficiency. I believe he deserves all of the credit score he will get and doubtless much more, as a result of he was a giant underdog. I am pleased for him.”
Is it a Philly factor to reinvent your self the best way Williams and Fulton have? Williams isn’t so fast to say so.
“For each two guys like me there are 10 guys that will have misplaced,” Williams stated. “ I actually do not suppose it is a Philadelphia factor. Philadelphia fighters are undoubtedly particular in many alternative methods, however I do not suppose we’re particular in that means, to be trustworthy with you. I believe that is a person factor. All people cannot come again after a loss.”
Fulton, 23-1 (8 KOs), now could be a two-division titleholder and sits firmly within the mixture of some very attention-grabbing fights.
“Boxing is a sport of successful and shedding,” Williams, 29-4-1 (17 KOs) stated. “All sports activities and life typically are type of about successful and shedding. You possibly can’t let the loss have an effect on you to the purpose the place you’ll be able to’t proceed to work laborious. You possibly can’t proceed to dream. You possibly can’t proceed to push your self. If it is affecting you that dangerous, you most likely ought to cease.”
Williams has his personal battle in opposition to Yoenis Tellez on March 1st on the Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, New York. The interim WBA junior middleweight bout can be a part of the pay-per-view undercard of Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach Jr.
Williams has had a number of setbacks in his profession, the latest being a stoppage loss to Carlos Adames in 2023 when he tried to maneuver as much as middleweight and seize an interim title. Williams spoke in regards to the psychological toughness that’s wanted.
He’s, in any case, an underdog as soon as once more heading into his battle with Tellez.
“You have to be mentally powerful as a result of boxing is a chilly recreation,” Williams stated. “As a result of while you lose they aren’t going to allow you to neglect about it.
Lucas Ketelle took an unconventional path to boxing, finally discovering his stride in gyms and media. For the previous decade, he has hosted the “Lukie Boxing” podcast, filmed coaching camps for fighters like Arnold Barboza Jnr, Mikey Garcia and Caleb Plant, and labored with high professionals akin to Mike Bazzel. Ketelle can also be an creator of “Contained in the Ropes of Boxing,” a information for younger fighters, a author for ProBox TV, BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America. Discover him on X at @LukieBoxing.
