Jeison ‘Banana’ Rosario is well aware of the public perception heading into his upcoming challenge of unified junior middleweight titlist Julian ‘J-Rock’ Williams, yet could swear he’s heard this story before.
The resurgent contender is a considerable underdog as he enters the hometown of a unified titlist for a fight to air live in primetime on Fox. It’s the exact same scenario which Williams faced ahead of his eventual 12-round upset of previously unbeaten Jarrett Hurd last May, now landing on the favorable end of his upcoming title defense on the January 18 edition of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Fox live from the Liacouras Center in his hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“The public sees this as an easy fight for Williams,” Rosario (19-1-1, 13KOs) acknowledged during Fox Sports’ recent airing of PBC Countdown: Julian Williams vs. Jeison Rosario. “When the bell rings, the audience will see their jaws drop.
“History will repeat itself as Julian Williams did with Hurd. I am going to win. Julian is a great champion and I am grateful for the opportunity. But it’s my job to go in there and take the titles from him. I must and I will.”
It’s the very same mentality as adopted by Williams (27-1-1, 16KOs) ahead of his unified title challenger versus Hurd last May. The bout took place in Fairfax, Virginia, mere miles from Hurd’s hometown of Accokeek, Maryland and with Williams carrying a four-fight win streak following the lone loss of his career.
From the matchup came a Fight of the Year-level 12-round battle, with the visiting challenger taking a well-earned decision to claim his place atop the 154-pound division.
Dominican Republic’s Rosario is unbeaten in his last eight starts following an upset knockout loss to Nathan Gallimore in April 2017. The lone other blemish since then came in a split decision draw with Mark Hernandez in February 2018, with Rosario getting it right the second time around in a 9th round knockout in their rematch last February. Wedged in between was a 10-round decision over Justin DeLoach and a convincing points win over previously unbeaten Jamontay Clark one fight later.
“I have been working for years towards this fight. All the work I’ve done since I turned pro was a step towards realizing my dreams,” insists Rosario, who trains out of the greater Miami area under longtime coach Luis Perez. “I train hard, I make sacrifices for this family all of this fight.
“God’s timing is perfect, it’s the right time for this fight. I’m going for what’s mine. Jeison ‘Banana’—the new champion of the world.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
