Elmont's Williams learning fast in ring

Since the age of 7, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has honed his family’s craft tirelessly in the boxing gym. Roy Jones Jr. was the 1984 U.S. National Junior Olympics winner as a 15-year-old with years of training under his belt.

Boxing greats often develop their skill early on, but one of New York’s top, blue-chip prospects, Elmont native Titus “God Gifted” Williams discovered the “sweet science” a bit later.

The 28-year old Williams took an interest in athletics at an early age, moving from Canarsie, Brooklyn, to Queens before eventually settling in Elmont, where he has lived most of his life and where he attended high school.

“I was introduced to the idea of boxing by one of my friends in high school,” Williams said. “Boxing came to me as a senior.”

He was captivated after watching HBO’s “24/7” before the Floyd Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya fight in 2007, his final year of high school. Up until then, Williams had been a basketball player for Elmont Memorial and various AAU teams, while also running track.

“At some point I figured I wouldn’t go to the NBA, and I never was the person to do things just do them,” Williams, who is 5 feet 8, said of his decision to quit basketball.

He then sought out a gym, and the guidance and knowledge of a coach. He settled in at the Westbury Boxing Club after a recommendation from a friend and started working with trainer Pete Brodsky, a renowned boxing trainer based on Long Island.

Williams’s determination helped him quickly bring his skill up to par with his peers. “People at the gym told me I was skilled and I had fast hands, but I was fighting with no experience,” He said. “I knew that most guys in the gym were working out for two hours, so I’d work out for four to catch up.”

The relationship between Brodsky and Williams was a trusting one. “Brodsky trained me mentally as much as physically,” Williams said. In his first amateur fight, as a green talent with promise, he fought a hard first round and walked back to his corner. He sat down on his stool and looked up at Brodsky. “I said, ‘My legs are so heavy,’ and for a second, I was thinking, What did I get myself into?” Williams recalled. “He told me to relax, close my eyes and envision a calm, open field and put myself there. I did, and it worked.” He went on to win via technical knockout in the third round.

He eventually made the move to Freeport PAL where he and his current trainer Joseph Higgins, have been working on his technique. “We get each other,” Williams said. “Our chemistry is good and we are on cue with each other. I think it’s just right.”

Progressing quickly, in his boxing career, Williams began to pile up accolades. He went on to win the New York Golden Gloves tournament in 2013 and again in 2015. He took home the Sugar Ray Robinson Award as the best open fighter in 2013.

After turning pro, Williams rattled off seven consecutive victories before losing a unanimous decision (79-72, 79-72, 78-73) to Brooklyn’s Chris Colbert. The featherweight bout took place last Saturday night at the Barclays Center, where Williams has now fought five times as an amateur and pro combined.

After a tough fight with a game opponent, he made no excuses. “I’m always going to look to challenge myself in my career,” he said. “This has given me some things to work on, and I know I’ll be back even better. I’ve worked hard to get to this point, and I’m not going to let one fight get me down. I’m going to keep pushing and grinding and show that I have a lot to give in this sport.”

Williams’s unwavering dedication, focus, heart and superb technical ability have made him one of the top young fighters in New York and a contender for future titles.

As for what’s next, he mentioned before last weekend’s fight that he wanted to compete at the newly renovated Nassau Coliseum. He wants to perform for his home crowd. “I went to Nassau Community College, right across the street, and I run at the Mitchel Field track, right next to it,” he said. “I rep Long Island so strongly. I’ll pack that place out.”