Fairfax, VA - The EagleBank Arena on the campus of George Mason University played host to the WBA and IBF Super Welterweight Champion Jarrett Hurd, Accokeek, MD, homecoming jubilee. Philadelphia’s Julian “J-Roc” Williams crashed the party and left with Hurd’s belts.
All those in attendance loudly cheered for Hurd as
he entered the ring in Redskins gear. Then there was a collective gasp when
ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr announce that Harold Lederman had pass away
earlier in the day.
From the opening bell, Williams applied
pressure on the champion. Expecting Williams,153.8 lbs, to box from a distance, Hurd,153.8 lbs, looked baffled when the challenger employed a in your face
approach. Unable to quickly adjust to Williams,
Hurd hit the deck in the second after absorbing a quick combo to the head
followed by a left hook. Once Hurd regained his faculties, he may have realized
Williams' strength was almost equal to his. Unable to employ his customary
bullying tactics, Hurd was behind the eight ball. Hurd admitted this saying: “He
was a lot sharper and a little better than I thought. They had a game plan that
worked better.”
Getting his bearings a few rounds into the contest, Hurd futilely tried to employ any limited
physical superiority he possessed to no avail. During round eight, Hurd was cut over his left eye. Battling with true
grit and determination, Hurd was able to bag a few rounds. J-Roc never let go
of the momentum he obtained in round one continuously snapping Hurd's head back
with uppercuts. Throughout the affair, Williams utilized a nifty move when he
backed Hurd against the ropes by stepping to his right as if he was throwing a
right hand and releasing a blind side left hook to the chin. This tactic caught
Hurd several times and buckled his knees.
Closing the show, Williams dominated a worn out Hurd in the last round.
Just looking at the expression on Hurd’s cut
and bruised face left no question of the outcome. Judges Steve Weisfeld and
Robin Taylor scored it 115-112 . Alfred Polanco score was more in line at
116-111, all for the new champion Julian "J-Rock" Williams.
Exuding nothing but class, the former champ Hurd said: “I”m going to come back. He was the better man tonight.” Losing his
belt and undefeated record, Hurd is now 23-1 (16 ko’s).
Raising his record to 27-1-1 (16 ko’s) the new
King J-Roc said: “The whole world doubted me. I outclassed him. I was a five to
one underdog. The only people that believed in me were my team”.
Following this effort J-Roc surely accumulated
more believers.
Prior to winning the title in the main event,
Williams left the sanctity of his locker and indiscreetly sat alone in a chair
behind press row to watch his stablemate Stephen Fulton capture the International
Boxing Organization Super Bantamweight title.
Turning in a splendid performance, Fulton,
Philadelphia, PA, outfought, outclassed, and outright beat Paulus Ambunda,
Swakopmund, Namibia, to garner a twelve round unanimous decision. Weighing in right on the button at
122 lbs, Fulton fought flawlessly. Regulated to nothing more than the canvas, Fulton painted his masterpiece, while Ambunda hardly landed a punch. Floored by a
right to the head in the eighth, Ambunda continued to press forward even as his
chances of victory were very thin. Unscathed and appearing as if he did not
fight yet, Fulton had his hand raised after twelve heats, Without contemplation all three
judges scored it a
shutout 120-107 for Fulton.
Fulton said: “It’s like a perfect game. Look no
marks on me. I feel great. After he got up from the knockdown I saw he kept
coming forward,and outboxed until the end.” Already looking for greater
challengers, Fulton went on to say: “I want to fight every world champion in my
weight class. My choice would be to fight Daniel Roman next.”
Popular consensus dictates Philly has the best
fight scene in the USA. Not as renowned, DC and the surrounding area's pugilistic
landscape is good and produces world champs. Notably the fight card was filled
with locals attempting to show off their
wares which made it remarkable how these
two Philly natives stole the show.
A near packed house of 7,500 filled the arena.
TGB promoted the festivities in
association with Premier Boxing Champions. It aired live nationally on Fox
Saturday night on prime time television.
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