Boxing in 2020: Top 3 bouts to jumpstart the new year

3. Julian Williams vs. Jeison Rosario, super welterweight title

Julian ‘J-Rock’ Williams (27-1-1, 16 KOs) dethroned then-undefeated Jarrett Hurd in May to win the IBF, WBA, and IBO super welterweight titles. He makes the first defense of his titles against Jeison Rosario (19-1-1, 13 KOs) on Saturday, Jan. 18, on PBC on FOX at 8 p.m. ET.

Williams looked electric against Hurd to win the title. He dropped him in the second round and out-toughed the larger Hurd to win. Few expected Williams to defeat Hurd, but he controlled his on his way to a unanimous decision victory. Williams served Hurd the first and only loss of his career.

Williams has one loss on his record, which was a fifth-round knockout against Jermall Charlo back in 2016. Williams hasn’t lost since, and his recent performances make his loss to Charlo look more like a fluke defeat.

Rosario is undeserving of a title shot at this stage in his career, but that doesn’t mean he is devoid of talent. Rosario is only 24 years old and stands a puncher’s chance against Williams. According to the Sportsbook Review, Rosario is an early 12-1 underdog, but that line should lower a bit closer to the fight.

Rosario lacks wins against quality opposition. His most noteworthy victory was a 2018 unanimous decision victory over Justin DeLoach. Rosario was stopped in the sixth round by Nathaniel Gallimore in 2017. He’ll try to prove that fight was a fluke against Williams on Jan. 18.

Rosario has a golden opportunity, which hopefully means he’s hungry to pull the upset. A hungry fighter is a dangerous fighter. Williams proved that against Hurd.