By Steve Kim
Young junior middleweight contender Julian 'J-Rock' Williams still needs an opponent as he looks to be involved in an IBF elimination bout. Originally it was hoped that third ranked Michel Soro would face Williams (who is ranked sixth but Soro bypassed on the opportunity. The focus recently turned to Vanes Martirosyan, who is ranked seventh by the organization.
But Williams and his team are moving on from that potential match-up.
"Yes, without a doubt,"confirmed Stephen 'Breadman' Edwards, who trains and manages the boxer who hails from Philadelphia.
"We're just moving down the IBF rankings and hopefully we can solidify a date and an opponent within a few days because we've already been in camp for five-and-a-half weeks."
When asked what happened with Martirosyan, Edwards told BoxingScene.com - "First of all, I got a lot of respect for Vanes. I think he's a very good fighter. Vanes told me personally that he asked for the same amount of money Austin Trout turned down( to face Williams), whatever that money is. Obviously, the money is not on the table at this point and it's not my job to really speculate or negotiate for the opponents.
"But obviously there's not enough money in the pot right now and we have to move onto the next guy."
The IBF eliminator would be for the number one spot, which is currently vacant. Jermall Charlo is the IBF 154-pound belt-holder.
As for when Williams will fight, Edwards explained,"I was told January 16th but honestly, I don't think he'll be fighting January 16th. I think that he'll fight a little bit after that. So I would say the end of January, beginning of February."
Williams(21-0-1, 13 KO's) fought three times in 2015, defeating the trio of Joey Hernandez (W10), Armon Ovsepya (TKO6) and most recently against Luciano Cuello on September 22nd, scoring a spectacular first round knockout.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.