The bout sat on the undercard of Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson and got here collectively lower than a day earlier than the opening bell after Carlos Adames was pulled from the cardboard following hospitalization throughout his weight lower.
Toussaint stepped in on extraordinarily brief discover, moved up in weight, and had no practical time to arrange for a stress fighter like Williams. That was necessary as a result of from the opening rounds, the battle performed out extra competitively than anticipated.
The primary three rounds have been scrappy and comparatively even. Williams pushed ahead however struggled to determine clear separation early, whereas Toussaint stayed composed, fired counters, and did sufficient to keep away from being run over. Williams started to take management within the fourth spherical when a pointy lead uppercut dropped Toussaint, briefly altering the tone of the battle.
From that time on, Williams dictated the motion. He labored behind his jab, went to the physique, and spent lengthy stretches slicing off the ring. Toussaint absorbed punishment, notably within the fifth spherical when he was trapped alongside the ropes, however he by no means stopped competing. After the knockdown, his strategy shifted towards survival and self-discipline, staying upright and avoiding prolonged exchanges.
Williams gained many of the remaining rounds clearly. What by no means arrived was the end. In opposition to a short-notice opponent preventing above his pure weight, Williams couldn’t power a stoppage or absolutely break Toussaint down. The judges mirrored his management on the playing cards, scoring it 98-91, 99-90, and 99-90.
For Toussaint, going the gap beneath these situations earned respect. For Williams, now 20-1, the outcome retains him transferring ahead on paper however leaves room for doubt in apply. This was meant to be a showcase after a cancelled title alternative. As a substitute, it was a workmanlike win that raised acquainted issues about his capacity to impose himself towards fighters who refuse to fold.
At this degree, profitable vast shouldn’t be the identical as convincing, and Williams will want greater than management the subsequent time the stakes are actual.
