A few weeks ago, it was announced that former unified super welterweight champion Julian "J Rock" Williams (27-2-1) would return to the ring on June 26th against Brian "La Bala" Mendoza (19-1).  The fight will take place  in Atlanta on the Gervonta Davis-Mario Barrios pay-per-view undercard that will be distributed by Showtime.

Mendoza last fought in August when he outpointed Thomas "Cornflake" La Manna in Los Angeles in what was his first fight under the Premier Boxing Champions' banner. 

He understands that he isn't entering the fight as the favorite but is very confident that he will be able to pull off the victory.

"I think the fight is the perfect opportunity that I’ve been looking for to establish myself at 154. I’m coming in as the underdog but I believe 100% I will pull off the upset like I did in my last fight. I’m on a completely different level since then and it’s time for everyone to see what I’ve been working on," Mendoza told BoxingScene.com. 

The 27-year-old Las Vegas resident trains at world class trainer Ismael Salas' gym and said that he has picked up a lot of knowledge working along other elite fighters.

"I’ve been in the gym with Salas nonstop and I’ve learned so much from him as well as all the talent that’s in the gym with me like (Erislandy) Lara, (Yordenis) Ugas, Robeisy (Ramirez) and even (Yuriorkis) Gamboa now. I’m ready to take all that knowledge and put it on display in the ring," Mendoza stated.

Williams will enter the fight coming off of a January, 2020 stoppage loss to Jeison  Rosario.  He had won his five previous fights.  

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter