Ryan Williams ‘has the goods’ after scoring quick pro debut win

Junior bantamweight prospect Ryan Williams won his professional debut on Friday night, stopping Khendal Moore at 1:59 of the first round. 

The fight took place at the Motor City Casino in Detroit, Michigan. Williams, a 16-time national champion, is a 20-year-old who was seen as one of the best in his era of amateur boxing. His grandfather, Robert Mumford, is his trainer and the first to speak Williams’ praises. Mumford runs Team Cartel Boxing in Toledo, Ohio. 

“Everyone mentioned to me how much of a pro style he has,” Mumford said. “I think a lot of people wouldn’t be able to go four or five rounds with him. A lot of people got lucky in the amateurs, because he has a lot of endurance and gets stronger as the fight goes on.”

Mumford also said Williams sparred world-ranked featherweights in preparation for the fight and held his own. 

“They can’t believe how strong he is, given his size,” Mumford said.

Moore, also 20, is winless with a 0-6 record and resides in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mumford said Moore was the only option they had for this match. 

“Everyone else was pricing themselves out of the fight,” Mumford said. “They were asking for $5,000 or $6,000 for a four-round fight.”

With around 170 amateur bouts, Williams is now 1-0 (1 KO), and his team is aiming to move fast and toward meaningful fights. They already have their next fight date set for February 21 at the same venue. Now the goal is to get his record established. They welcome fights at flyweight and junior bantamweight.

“We are going to chase the tough fights,” Mumford said. “I am saying he can take those fights really quick, because he has the goods. I am saying it because I am seeing him handle his own with people who had world titles at 118 lbs and 122lbs. In fact, he handled them easily.”