(Photos by Daniel Cork)
Jeison Rosario won the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation super welterweight titles Saturday, stopping hometown hero Julian Williams in the fifth round at Temple University's Liacouras Center.
"I'm so emotional in this moment right now," Rosario said through an interpreter. When I lost my [first] fight I said I will never lose again until I become champion of the world and that's what happened tonight. I came prepared. I knew before the fight that I was going to win it. I knew it. It is no surprise for me," said Sampson Lewkowicz, Rosario's promoter. I said to everyone before the fight that we will win by KO before the sixth round and that is exactly what happened. Anytime [Williams] wants a rematch we will honor [his contractual rematch option]."
"I would have started doing training camps a little earlier if I had known these were going to be the results," Rosario said. "Thanks to Philadelphia and to Julian Williams. Without this opportunity I wouldn't be champion today."
Williams:
"I wasn't surprised he was so good. I told everybody he's a real fighter. I have to accept it. The cut blurred my vision a little bit, but it wasn't the reason why I lost. He was the better fighter tonight. We've got a rematch clause. I'll see him again soon. I'll be back."
