Homecoming: A new beginning for Fayetteville boxing champ Michael Williams Jr.

The Fayetteville Observer published an iconic photo back in 1991. In the photo, legendary boxing heavyweight Muhammad Ali is walking down Hay Street surrounded by Muslims like Adam Beyah.

The champ was in town to help raise funds to cover the additional expenses for relocation of the Masjid Obmar Ibn Sayyid, the local mosque. During his visit with residents, Ali was shocked to learn of the impact of boxing on the community.

Eight years later, in Fort Riley, Kansas, a young boxer was born on May 20, 1999. That young boxer, Michael Williams Jr., would go on to become the youngest World Boxing Federation Champion in the world and in the history of the WBF.

Williams Jr. started boxing at the age of 8, under the mentorship of his father, Army veteran Michael Williams Sr., and former pro title holder and All-Army boxer Khalil Shakeel. Trouble with his vision led Williams Jr. to wear creative lenses until he graduated from Seventy-First High School in 2017.

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LASIK surgery in 2018 helped correct his vision, and he finished his amateur career with a record of 35-13.

By 2019, Williams Jr. was a pro boxer with an undefeated record of four wins and no losses.

However, in a boxing gym in New Orleans, a young Mike Williams caught the attention of boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. Roy noticed Williams Jr. was the youngest fighter in the gym. After observing Williams Jr., Roy decided he wanted to be a part of his growth in the sport. However, Michael Williams Sr. has remained instrumental in his son’s career.

Boxer Timothy Bradley Jr. spoke out about banning father-son training in boxing. Williams Sr. contested Bradley’s statement in a social media post.

“Obviously, the father and son teams are working out because the fighters are more successful than most fighters who don’t have father in their careers," says the Williams family patriarch.

Mike Sr. believes his job is to help his children achieve their goals. However, he ensures that his son does not forget the power of giving back to the community that supports him.

Williams Jr. is constantly present in the Fayetteville community giving back alongside community advocates and organizers such as Flip Flop Sauce creator Carl Pringle.

Williams was also spotted in Massey Hill with his father picking up trash and debris as a part of the Massy Hill Community Clean Up with the organization One Fayetteville. As a result, Williams Jr.'s robe is covered by the logos of local businesses and organizations that believe in the 24-year-old. The community’s support was on fulldisplay as Williams Jr. traveled to fight at Madison Square Garden. He was met at the airport by then-Fayetteville Police Department Chief Gina Hawkins, among others.

Though he did not secure victory at Madison Square Garden, the city was proud of him for such a feat. The loss did not deter the fighter. He continued to push himself to the point of securing a bout with Adrian Broner. However, a broken jaw would cause the fight to be postponed until a later date.

The postponement has not stopped the champ. He has constantly trained and grown as a fighter and businessman. Both skillsets will be on display as Michael Williams Jr. has his first-ever fight in the city of Fayetteville this month at the Stadium Event Center, located at 421 Maiden Lane, across from the Cumberland County Headquarters Library.

This fight signifies a new beginning for Team Michael Williams Jr., as well as other fighters like Sanchez McGhee and Elias Bradley. In addition to giving fighters an opportunity and audience, Williams Jr. will be walked out to the music of Fayetteville artists like Chyna Vonne.

The Stadium Event Center will be packed with celebrities and influencers like Comedian Charleston White, national recording artist Kidd Kidd, and gun enthusiasts Black Rambo and Mark Choppa. All action is set to take place Aug. 12th from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are on sale through Eventbrite and at the Stadium Event Center (421 Maiden Lane). Williams Jr. and Team 150 promise a night of fun, family and boxing.

Salute to Mike Jr., Mike Sr., Team 150, and every activist getting active. Peace.

Rakeem “Keem” Jones is a community advocate and father of three from the Shaw Road/Bonnie Doone area of Fayetteville. He can be reached at keemj45@gmail.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Jones: Fayetteville embraces boxer Williams who returns the love