Boxer Jimmy Williams triumphs over tragedy

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- 2 fights and 2 wins for local boxer Jimmy Williams. The young man has a promising future but he had to overcome an awful lot to be in the position he's in.

Jimmy Williams mother always thought boxing was his gift.

"She gave birth to me so she knew what her son was going to be," said Williams.

At the birth of his professional boxing career, Belinda Jordan Wlliams is smiling down on her son. Jimmy is off to a 2-0 start.

"My mom is up in the heavens. I love you. I miss you," said Williams after his 1st win.

Williams mother was murdered in November of 2008, when Williams was a football player at Southern Connecticut State University.

"I received a call from my sister that my mom had been strangled to death. They found her body behind an abandon building and that day just changed my whole life," said Williams.

It's a day  Williams still wonders what happened in his hometown of Plainfield, NJ.

"It's still unsolved, no leads. Back home I think the cops just gave up on the case but i'm not going to give up," said Williams. "Despite what her problems are with drugs and stuff and the streets, she always was a good mom, had a good heart and always showed us her love."

Williams left Southern not soon after his moms death. He entered the NFL draft and spent a short time with the Oakland Raiders. After that, his mothers influence guided him.

"To honor her death, I got back into the ring and she's with me every step," said Williams.

With the backing of his boxing family, the welterweight has the tools, determination and personality to make a name for himself.

"Sometimes you ask God like why this happened to me but it just made me a stronger individual. It's made me keep pushing," said Williams.

"I think that the fact that Jimmy has been able to turn this tragedy into a triumph is a testament of him as a human being," said John Sephar, Williams' Trainer, Manager.

"Any kid that's out there reading my story, I wanna say you can make it. You can follow your dreams, just keep pushing and everything will be good," said Williams.