JB Williamson

J.B. Williamson, born on December 18, 1956, in Indianapolis, Indiana, competed in the light-heavyweight division. Known for his orthodox stance and impressive physical attributes, including a towering height of 6 feet 2 inches and a reach of 78 inches, Williamson carved out a respectable career spanning over 16 years. His boxing journey included success at world level and challenges against elite opponents.

Williamson’s professional debut occurred on October 27, 1979, at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles. He secured a unanimous decision victory in a four-round bout against Dennis Mancino, showcasing his potential right from the start. This victory was the first step in a strong early run, where Williamson remained undefeated in his first 13 fights. During this streak, he scored a majority decision win over the experienced Murray Sutherland at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on December 10, 1982. This marked a significant milestone in his career, proving his ability to compete against high-calibre opposition.

However, his unbeaten run ended on May 1, 1983, when he faced Alex Ramos at the Sands Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. Despite a valiant effort, Williamson suffered a unanimous decision loss in a competitive ten-round contest. Undeterred, he rebounded by winning his next eight bouts, a streak that eventually led him to the pinnacle of his career: the vacant WBC World Light Heavyweight Title.

On December 10, 1985, Williamson faced the formidable Prince Mama Mohammed, who boasted an impressive record of 30-1-2. Fighting at the Forum in Inglewood, Williamson secured a unanimous decision victory over 12 rounds, claiming the WBC World Light Heavyweight Championship. It was a crowning achievement that solidified his place among the world’s elite in the division.

In his first title defence on April 30, 1986, Williamson travelled to Edmonton, London, to face Britain’s Dennis Andries. The bout was a close and gruelling contest, ultimately resulting in a split decision loss that cost Williamson his world title. Though he lost the belt, his performance against Andries further highlighted his ability to compete on the world stage.

Later in his career, Williamson moved up to face challenges in the heavyweight division. Notably, in Galveston, Texas, he stepped into the ring against the legendary George Foreman on April 30, 1989. Despite being overmatched, Williamson suffered a fifth-round stoppage. He also faced other renowned heavyweights, including Jimmy Thunder, Pierre Coetzer, Henry Akinwande, and Alexander Zolkin, though he came up short in these encounters.

Williamson’s final professional bout occurred on December 2, 1995, in Lavergne, Tennessee, where he faced Keith McKnight. The fight ended in a first-round TKO loss, marking the end of a career that saw him participate in 43 professional contests. With a record of 26 wins, 16 losses, and 1 no-contest, including 10 wins by knockout, Williamson never backed away from facing world-class opponents.