Things change quickly in the sport of boxing but Julian Williams is hoping to relive the good ole days.

Williams still remembers May 11th, 2019, like it was yesterday. Reason being, it was the day he became a world champion, a unified one at that. But just when he was on top of the junior middleweight mountain, he was violently thrown off it just eight months later.

Since then, Williams (29-4-1, 17 KOs) hasn’t looked like his sharp self in the ring. From 2020-2024, he’s made just one appearance annually. During that span, he’s grabbed just two wins. But while he appears to be on the backend of his career with one foot out the door, Williams recently revealed that he isn’t ready to get taken to the backyard and be put down like a dog just yet.

“I’m putting the work in,” Williams told The Boxing Source. “I’m listening to my coaches and sticking with it. I’m taking it one day at a time.”

This Saturday night in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Williams will find out if the tweaks he's made to his game have rejuvenated him when he takes on Yoenis Tellez.

By and large, Williams didn’t need to take this fight. He's well into his 30s and could have opted to face a more established name. However, there’s something about swapping fists with a much younger man that gets Williams going.

Climbing back up the ladder takes time. And, if Williams sat down and thought about it, he might begin to question whether or not the grind is worth it. So for now, Williams won’t focus on a championship run or a title eliminator. The immediate task is to get rid of Tellez. If he’s successful, he’ll figure out his next move.

“I’m just taking it one step at a time.”