By Ryan Burton

Welterweight contender Jamal "Shango" James (26-1) has already fought twice in 2019.  He stopped Janer Gonzalez in 6 rounds in February and won a unanimous decision against Antonio DeMarco last month in an exciting fight.  Both fighters landed several big shots but James, who is a natural welterweight, landed the more damaging blows.

"I was catching him with some hard shots man and he shook them off and just slang them right back but I am trained to just keep going with the flow," James told BoxingScene.com when asked about the fight.

The 31-year-old has now reeled off 6 wins a row since suffering his only loss which came against Yordenis Ugas in 2016. Three of those victories have come by way of knockout.

He believes that he is now at the point of his career where he is ready for a shot at a world title and hopes to get that shot in his next ring appearance.

"I want a title opportunity. Whoever got a belt that wants to give me the opportunity I want it. I am looking for that belt. Where it's at? Shango Nation. I don't care who it is really. Just whoever got a belt and wants to give me that opportunity," said James.

The Minnesota native is also interested in avenging his loss against Ugas.  With IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence and WBC champ Shawn Porter unifying titles in September, WBO champion Terence Crawford fighting on ESPN and WBA titlist Manny Pacquiao saying that he won't again until next year, a title shot probably won't be in the cards for James next fight.

"Most definitely," James said when asked about Ugas. "I really am trustworthy with my management team, Al Haymon and them are doing great things for me. So really whatever they come to the table with that makes business sense I am down with it."

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