By Zachary Alapi

Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania - Julian Williams (22-0-1, 14 KOs) stopped a woefully overmatched Marcello Matano (16-2, 5 KOs) at 2:24 of round seven to be become the mandatory challenger to IBF junior middleweight champion Jermall Charlo.

Despite being a ranked fighter, Matano looked like the domestic-level operator his record suggested. The Italian was indeed game and did show up to fight, but Williams was vastly superior in every facet. Despite his obvious advantages, though, Williams boxed with discipline, opting to break Matano down.

Until the swift and clinical end, there wasn’t a plethora of noteworthy action. In round three, Williams started to find a consistent home for his counter left hook, which he used to knock Matano off balance. Brimming with confidence, Williams was even content to lean on the ropes and invite Matano in to slug in the fourth frame. Matano obliged, but his punches were always wide and telegraphed.

Interestingly, between rounds five and six, Williams asked his corner to confirm that they felt he was winning the fight. At this point, it was fair to wonder whether Williams was being too patient in his approach, and it seemed that the magnitude of fighting for a mandatory position was weighing on him.

But Williams put any such doubts to rest in round seven. After starting to land with more consistency to the body, a left hand buckled Matano and essentially ended the fight. Matano was able to awkwardly hold onto Williams, but once the referee broke the fighters, Matano swayed into the ropes. Williams applied intelligent pressure as he closed the show, maintaining range to land head-snapping power shots. Mantano was drunkenly propelled about the ring by Williams’ blows until the referee correctly intervened at 2:24 of round seven.

In his post-fight interview, the typically reserved Williams went on a passionate rant about Jermall Charlo stepping up and accepting to fight him. Williams went so far as to say that “it’s about legacy.” Charlo-Williams is a compelling match-up and must happen. After a series of fights failing to materialize, including one against Austin Trout, Julian Williams is completely deserving of the title shot he’s literally earned.