Jesse Williams is the new Australian GLIBI Welterweight Champion following a last minute opponent change before his Championship fight on 25 February.
The 24 year old amateur boxer, who lives and trains in Canungra, fought Zephyr Vatouva after Cassidy Thornberry withdrew due to injury.
Jesse comes from a long line of boxers. His father, Craig, who is also his trainer, was a boxer, as were his two grandfathers and uncles, many of whom held championships themselves.
Even though he grew up around boxing he didn’t start until he was 18 and expressed an interest in the sport to his father.
“The funny thing with Dad was he made me read this book about the history of boxing before I got into it,” he said.
“The book tells you everything about it, the dangers of boxing as well as the history behind it.”
“Once I could pretty much recite the main parts of the book, he said he’d get me into training.”
“He wanted me to know that boxing is something that you can’t half jump into, you have to be fully committed.”
When Jesse started in the sport his goal was to learn self-defence – he had no thoughts of competing.
He showed talent immediately and Craig suggested they step up the training to competition level.
Heading into the Welterweight Championship fight, he had only had 10 fights for nine wins and one loss – most of his opponents have had three times the number of fights.
Jesse and Craig said Urban Warfare Boxing have been pivotal in arranging and promoting Jesse’s fights and thanked them for the support.
Jesse had a hard preparation and felt confident going into the Championship fight, but he isnow looking forward to his next challenge.
One 25 March he will take on Calvin Jensen for the World United Championship ‘Brayd Smith Belt’ in Toowoomba, after which he will turn professional.
“This is what I need if I want to progress to the next level,” he said.
