FORMER U.S. AMATEUR STANDOUT JULIAN WILLIAMS SIGNS WITH GSP
Gary Shaw announced today the signing of undefeated junior middleweight prospect and former U.S. amateur standout JULIAN WILLIAMS. Williams (2-0, 2 KOs), from The City of Brotherly Glove, Philadelphia, Pa., made his debut under the GSP banner on October 1, blasting out Dean Peters, Jr. in the first round at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.
“He is the goods. He is 100% the goods and I couldn’t wait to see his debut with us last week. He had the crowd on its feet within seconds of the bell to start the first round,” said Shaw. “I’ve worked with a lot of world champions throughout my career and I still enjoy promoting world championship events, but nothing compares to grooming a young professional – watching him progress and earning his stripes. I suspect Julian will stoke my enthusiasm for boxing for a very long time. He is going to make Philadelphia proud.”
Added veteran matchmaker John Beninati, “Julian reminds me of a better version of Andre Berto. He has a more powerful punch. He’s got all the tools.”
Williams retired from the amateur ranks with a 75-10 record. His amateur honors include winning the 2005 Silver Gloves regionals, the 2006 Junior Olympics regionals, the 2007 Eastern Regionals, and the 2006 and 2009 Philadelphia Golden Gloves. In 2006, he earned the bronze at the 2006 Golden Gloves National Championship, the Silver Gloves nationals and the Golden Gloves state championships.
“I’m very excited to be working with Gary Shaw,” said Williams. “I know he will keep me very busy in the ring and that’s all the incentive any good fighter needs to train hard.”
Williams, 20, is scheduled to fight two more times this year, November 9 in Oklahoma City and December 3 at Chumash Casino Resort.
Williams’ corner includes mentor/head trainer Kenny Mason, who has trained Williams since he was 13, and advisor/assistant trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards. Mason took Williams in seven years ago when Williams was homeless. They have been a team ever since. Williams trains at the James Shuler Memorial Boxing Gym in Philadelphia.