Ever since the advent of boxing in history reflected in Sumerian artefacts discovered in Iraq emerging from the 3rd millennium BC, the human race has indulged itself in this recreation in one way or another. But this sport was never meant for fainthearted individuals. Only legionaries enter this battlefield without showing much concern about their own safety. And among those warriors happens to be Andy Willams.
Born in the hostile suburbs of Brooklyn, Newyork, Williams was introduced quite early in his life to the world of boxing. His father, Rafael Williams, the great Panamanian Middleweight was one of those starlets who helped put the South American nation on the global map of boxing. Seeing his father sweating blood in the loop and gym day in and day out, Andy needed no second invitation to what he wanted to pursue as a profession. With the Panamanian fighting spirit running in his blood, Andy started to glove up early in his childhood but it was at the age of 13 when the young teenager decided to shift all his focus to boxing. From that point on, there was no looking back for the young rookie.
The William’s family patriarch, Rafael had sensed that his young prodigy had all the tools to excel in this amusement fair. And under his own supervision, he helped Andy acclimatise to the environment. The talent was always there but all it needed was refinement and it couldn’t have got much better for Andy as he started to put hard yards in the gymnasium and within a few years’ time, this backbreaking grind started to bore fruit for him.
Amateur Record
Andy had an exceptional start to his amateur career winning the National USA Amateur championship which proved to be the first of his six triumphs at this particular event. The young boxing sensation hailing from the outskirts of Brooklyn was already starting to make name for himself. The Newyork state’s boxing scouts had got a gem in their hands. With his eagle-eyed hand coordination and immaculate defence, Andy was running away from his peers, notching up accolades for himself week in and week out on the regular basis.
Andy was destined for greatness, following the steps of his Chief, his master, Rafael. The young boxing sensation then participated in Newyork Golden championship winning it five times during his amateur career. The stage was set and it was time that he started taking bigger steps towards newer heights that were destined for him. And he did exactly that.
Andy began participating in state tournaments, battering his opponents at will. He then travelled almost 800 miles across the country to Atlanta to participate in the Georgia games championship, winning the Gold medal 3 times there. His success story didn’t end here as he started making waves abroad as well. He got himself enrolled in the Latin American Amateur Championship and won the prestigious prize 4 times during this span.
Andy wasn’t done here as the hunger for the titles kept him motivated to work hard each day. One of the career highlights of Andy’s career has to be the trounce of the Golden Gloves championship which the Brooklyn Native won 8 times during his amateur career.
It’s fair to say that Andy has spent considerable time practising boxing as an amateur. His amateur career almost spans over 16 years but as we see, a lot of fighters carrying a bundle of amateur experience don’t need much time to excel as a professional. Andy’s scenario is no different either. The 29-year-old has finally decided to turn pro after boasting an amateur record of 24-0, a record that is a testimony of his pugilist prowess.
Here is the summary of the amateur honours that he has won over the years.
- 8x Golden Gloves champion
- 6x National USA Amateur Championships
- 3x Georgia Games champion
- 4x Latin American amateur champion
- 5x New York Golden gloves champion
Notable Wins and Credentials
What makes a fighter great is not only his record but with whom he has battled inside the square of those tied ropes. The combatants against whom these victories came. The circumstances under which the fighter weathered the storm, and came out victorious eventually.
Like his father Rafael, Andy also shared the ring with some of the renowned names of modern boxing. And the name to top that list is none other than Errol Spence Jr. – the reigning WBC, IBF, and WBC welterweight champion.
Andy also went toe-to-toe with the Mexican Icon, and former IBF Middleweight titlist, Julio César Chávez Jr., and gave him a run for his money. The other noteworthy opponents with whom he has altercated during his time as an amateur include Carlos Monroe, Willie Monroe Jr., Gabriel Rosado, Niko Valdes, and J’Leon love.
One of the interesting facts that truly speaks volumes to Andy’s boxing adeptness is that he has so far competed in seven different weight classes – lightweight, Super lightweight, welterweight middleweight, Super middleweight, light heavyweight & heavyweight. It’s surreal how he managed to compete at this level with so many elite fighters in all the mentioned categories. But it surely does explain his aptness to easily manoeuvre between these weight classes and then deliver at the highest stage possible. Indeed it is what which makes him great.
Sparring Partner of Jake Paul and Logan Paul
One of the most talked about and probably controversial media/sports personalities have to be the Paul brothers, Logan and Jake. The Youtubers turned boxers have taken the whole boxing fraternity by storm when they decided to step into the boxing world. And what makes them so influential is their ability to stay relative during all this uproar.
Before Jake was able to call out P4P king, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, it was Andy who helped him hone his skills and got him ready to make his debut against another social media figure, Deji Olatunji popularly known as Deji.
While the elder Paul sibling, Logan started preparation for his famous KSI clash in the same gym as Williams. Andy proved instrumental in aiding Paul’s siblings to get in shape. Indeed, it’s now time for Andy to show the world what he is made of and get the credit that he very rightly deserves. The sky is the limit for the 29-year-old.
