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I recently had a talk with Jamel Herring who is in training for his first title defense against Lamont Roach. I go back a long way with Jamel from before boxing was even a thought. We were kids who loved all sports and played them regularly. We have been through ups and downs in our friendship but at the end of the day we are still family from Long Island, NY. When I was deployed to Iraq Jamel was going through the regional qualifiers and Olympic trials.
Jamel became a U.S. open class Champion that year, he qualified for the Olympic team, and then he lost his spot on the team. It was a very upsetting time for him. It was a very nerve wracking time for me being in a war zone not knowing what the next day had in store. But through our close friendship we kept each other in check. Jamel went back through the qualifier and earned his spot on the team again. I one of my e-mail accounts I have our whole dialogue from that year. He became a United States Olympian, a team captain, and someone I was proud of. I deployed as a Private First Class, and returned home a Sergeant. That has been our story as friends. We don't push each other into negative behaviors, we just find ways to succeed and beat the odds.
I watched Jamels fight in the Olympics after I returned home. I could tell he was disappointed, I can tell he felt he had let people down, but really, he made us close to him admire him even more. I would read the press about the Olympians who would be turning pro. Errol Spence Jr. stole most of the stories but Jamels name was labeled as the weakest of the 2012 class. He was not expected to achieve much. He was not given a fair shake in my eyes. Jamel brushed off criticism very easy. So do I, but I do not accept criticism about him very well. I can flip like DMX in the movie Belly when I feel my dude is disrespected. I didn't take to social media and start blasting writers, I just told Jamel to make them eat their words.
November 9th will be a pivotal point for Jamel to make a statement. His opponent is hungry and anxious for the challenge. The Marine is calm and focused on the battle ahead.
Q&A
What's up Champ? How has camp been going and how has your focus been?
"Camp has been great, just been focusing on fixing a few mistakes from the last fight. In terms of sparring I've been working with Bud Crawford, Damon Allen Jr and several other fighters to keep me sharp. My head trainer Brian Bomac McIntyre AJ's nutritionist have been making sure I'm eating all the proper meals and away from junk."
What kind of a statement do you want your performance to show on Novemeber 9th?
"I just want to pretty much make a statement, and force the other champions to step in the ring with me"
Lamont Roach is focused on leaving with your title on November 9th. What are you prepared to do to remain as Champion?
"Roach is a decent fighter, but he hasn't been in the ring with anyone like me. In order for him to take the title he's going to have to seriously dig deep, but I guarantee I have far more weapons than he thinks I have in the arsenal."
Do you have anything you want to say to Lamont Roach personally?
"I don't have much to really say towards him. They can do all the talking, I'm just ready to perform."
What is expected to come for Jamel Herring should you remain victorious on November 9th?
"Once I win Nov. 9th rumors are I may have a potential matchup with Carl Frampton, but he would have to handle his own business first Nov. 30th."
Thanks for the responses Champ. Best of luck November 9th.
Jamel became a U.S. open class Champion that year, he qualified for the Olympic team, and then he lost his spot on the team. It was a very upsetting time for him. It was a very nerve wracking time for me being in a war zone not knowing what the next day had in store. But through our close friendship we kept each other in check. Jamel went back through the qualifier and earned his spot on the team again. I one of my e-mail accounts I have our whole dialogue from that year. He became a United States Olympian, a team captain, and someone I was proud of. I deployed as a Private First Class, and returned home a Sergeant. That has been our story as friends. We don't push each other into negative behaviors, we just find ways to succeed and beat the odds.
I watched Jamels fight in the Olympics after I returned home. I could tell he was disappointed, I can tell he felt he had let people down, but really, he made us close to him admire him even more. I would read the press about the Olympians who would be turning pro. Errol Spence Jr. stole most of the stories but Jamels name was labeled as the weakest of the 2012 class. He was not expected to achieve much. He was not given a fair shake in my eyes. Jamel brushed off criticism very easy. So do I, but I do not accept criticism about him very well. I can flip like DMX in the movie Belly when I feel my dude is disrespected. I didn't take to social media and start blasting writers, I just told Jamel to make them eat their words.
November 9th will be a pivotal point for Jamel to make a statement. His opponent is hungry and anxious for the challenge. The Marine is calm and focused on the battle ahead.
Q&A
What's up Champ? How has camp been going and how has your focus been?
"Camp has been great, just been focusing on fixing a few mistakes from the last fight. In terms of sparring I've been working with Bud Crawford, Damon Allen Jr and several other fighters to keep me sharp. My head trainer Brian Bomac McIntyre AJ's nutritionist have been making sure I'm eating all the proper meals and away from junk."
What kind of a statement do you want your performance to show on Novemeber 9th?
"I just want to pretty much make a statement, and force the other champions to step in the ring with me"
Lamont Roach is focused on leaving with your title on November 9th. What are you prepared to do to remain as Champion?
"Roach is a decent fighter, but he hasn't been in the ring with anyone like me. In order for him to take the title he's going to have to seriously dig deep, but I guarantee I have far more weapons than he thinks I have in the arsenal."
Do you have anything you want to say to Lamont Roach personally?
"I don't have much to really say towards him. They can do all the talking, I'm just ready to perform."
What is expected to come for Jamel Herring should you remain victorious on November 9th?
"Once I win Nov. 9th rumors are I may have a potential matchup with Carl Frampton, but he would have to handle his own business first Nov. 30th."
Thanks for the responses Champ. Best of luck November 9th.
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