For Jennifer Williams, boxing has become an integral part of her life, helping her test her abilities and overcome the challenges life has thrown her way.
Williams, a native of Brantford, was always involved in sports and discovered boxing through a friend.
“I’ve been playing sports ever since I can remember, starting with figure skating, and I flew through all the levels. At that point, my parents asked me if I wanted to move on and level up [to] skate with the older kids. I remember feeling a little bit intimidated, because I was pretty young at that time and I would be competing against older kids. My brother was playing hockey at the time, so I decided that I would try that and shifted to playing hockey for years, growing up right up until high school…. playing for the North Park [Collegiate and Vocational School] hockey team. I also got into baseball when I was 11-years-old, playing house league here in Brantford, and then got offered to try out for the traveling team in town. I did that for a while and had a ton of fun playing baseball growing up,” Williams recalled. “I participated in volleyball for a long time…through elementary and high school as well [and] when it came to boxing, I started that in high school when my best friend asked me to come with her to a class. I went a few times a week to the Brantford Blackeye Boxing Club that’s where I met Bill Williams, who was coaching there at the time. That’s when I really began falling in love with boxing, and did that on and off for a few years in high school.”
While Williams enjoyed boxing, it was more to stay in shape rather than compete.
“I didn’t actually box in the ring when I was in high school, and it was more of helping me keep fit. My friend, who introduced me to boxing, left for Windsor and was at school, and we went our separate ways. It wasn’t until she came back a few years later to Brantford that she asked me if I wanted to get back to boxing again,” Williams explained. “I trained for a while longer, even discussing the possibility of fighting, but I got pregnant and had to stop boxing at that time. I would then have my son, and maybe a year and a half after having him, I got back into it [which I did] to get myself into shape. When my son was around two-years-old, you know, I decided I was going to go ahead and have a fight [and] my friend also decided to fight at that time too.”
With her veteran coach Bill Williams (who currently runs Bell City Boxing) in her corner, Williams got ready for her first bout.
“I remember being very anxious, and I just wanted to fight. Once you make the decision that you’re going to fight, you want to get that first one done and over with. The first one I ever fought in was a tournament which was a big deal, [especially related to] my weight category…I went a distance with the girl. It went to a decision, and I took a loss. Despite the loss, I was motivated to get back in the ring and fight again. I loved that feeling. Then, my very next fight was back at home in Brantford. We had the outdoor show, and I don’t even think we went two full rounds, and that was my only technical knockout,” she said.
However, Williams, who has won Brampton Cup and Golden Gloves titles, noted that boxing has provided an opportunity to test herself, especially through more trying times.
“I was going through a separation when I started boxing competitively. It helped me get through that time in my life and process things. I also realized it gave me energy to continue, and when I boxed, it also tested my abilities and showed me what I’m capable of. So, when I got that first fight under my belt…it was great, because it just gave me so much more confidence [and] made me more familiar with the process leading up to a fight, including things like cutting weight, prepping, getting your body and mind ready,” she said.
Throughout her boxing journey, Williams mentioned a person who has remained an important factor in her success.
“Bill [Williams] has been a great supporter. He has been so encouraging and has had so much faith in my abilities. He saw something in me that I didn’t even think was possible. Over the years, our friendship has grown…he’s been such a great coach, and I respect him so much. We have also spent a lot of time together, and there were times when we’d be on the phone four or five times a day leading up to a fight, not only talking about boxing, but about what was going on in each other’s lives,” she recounted. “He is like family to me. I’m really grateful to have him in my life, and it’s amazing for what he does for the community and his love of boxing. He’s so passionate about it, and he has such a big heart.”
After fighting as an amateur for years, Williams would find herself ready to face off as a professional in 2022 against Karla Soria.
“Fighting professionally was never on my mind…but Bill was always asking me when I would turn pro. I kept on brushing it off. Though he had a strong belief that it was going to happen. I was training a lot and fighting often…around twice a month, but then the pandemic happened, and there was a period of time where there were no fights. That was a really difficult time…managing the stress and trying to stay in shape. Things would, of course, open up, and I would still be an amateur at one of Bill’s shows. He then pitched me on becoming pro…I started to take the notion seriously…taking Bill’s sentiment that I didn’t want to regret not at least trying to do it. I decided to train more with that goal in mind and got an opportunity on the next show to go pro,” she said. “But before I did the fight, I spoke to my parents about it. They were quite concerned in a way, yet would give me their blessing to go ahead. Leading up to my first pro fight, I was very nervous as I didn’t know what to expect [as] I had never gone in the ring without a helmet or protective gear before. I also didn’t know anything about my opponent. Despite all that, I would come out with the win.”
Williams would then win her second professional bout against Soria and then a third against Carolyn Redmond; she would then face Diana Tapia in Sydney, Nova Scotia, in late 2023, which presented a challenge before they would even get in the ring.
“My opponent didn’t make weight. Tapia was about five pounds heavier than I, giving her a bit of an advantage. Maybe I should have walked away from that fight because of that; I had a right to do so despite the contract I signed. But I didn’t, and I fought. Looking back after that fight, I realized I have to be more careful in this industry. Someone can offer you a fight, but that doesn’t mean I have to take it. The fight with Tapia also made me think about being more selective in the fights I take on. It’s about making the right decision for yourself,” Williams noted.
After the bout with Tapia, Williams was a little more cautious. In April 2024, an opportunity to fight Bonnie Hunter for the Canadian Welterweight title at the Royal York in Toronto.
“That was my last pro fight that I’ve had to date. I was prepared [and] really proud of what I did there. It was more of a walk in the park compared to my prior battle, so I felt really good after that fight. Reflecting on it, there was so much attention I got leading up to the fight, and it was a big win for me,” she said. “Although I haven’t fought since then, I have never stopped training [and] Bill has been keeping an eye out for a match that may be appealing for me [and for me to] have another run.”
Nevertheless, Williams explained how boxing in Brantford has continued to be a big part of the community.
“Within the boxing community here, everybody knows everybody, and that’s a great thing. Coaches like Bill are very dedicated and passionate about the sport, supporting boxers like me. To think that there are four boxing gyms in town is pretty amazing, and boxing is great even if you don’t compete in the ring; it’s great for physical fitness, and I don’t think you can get a better workout than boxing. It’s also an offshoot of other sports. I know a lot of hockey players and teams that will come and do land training at the boxing gym. Anyone can do it and benefit from it,” she stated.
While Williams has continued to train and keep an ear to the ground for her next bout, she has also maintained a focus on her son, enjoying her time with him as he competes in sports himself.
“I’m so happy for him loving the sport of baseball, and he’s just, he’s just having the best time with that. He’s part of the traveling baseball Red Sox team in Brantford, and he is swimming competitively with the club here in town and playing hockey, too. Team sports are a great thing to do at this age [and] later down the road, if he gets interested in boxing, and I’m going to support him in it, but at this point…he’s not interested in it,” she said. “It’s been challenging to stay as on top of the boxing world as I have in the past. I’m trying to balance life and be there for him, [and] I’m having a great time watching and supporting him. I’m just patiently waiting for the right fight…and if something comes up, I’ll be ready and willing to take it.”
