• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Boxer bears the torch of Lake Street gym

by MSR News Online
May 27, 2015
13
SHARES
257
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

In professional boxing, fighters are often categorized as champions, contenders, pretenders, prospects, or also-rans. And anyone involved in the sport will tell you how difficult it is to shed one label in favor of a more flattering one.

Jamal James at Valley Forge Casino Resort
Jamal James at Valley Forge Casino Resort

Minneapolis welterweight Jamal James is intent on making the transition from prospect to contender in the deepest division in boxing. On April 18 the 26-year-old ventured beyond the borders of the North Star State for just the third time in his 16 fights as a pro and for the first time outside the Central Time Zone. At the Valley Forge Casino Resort in suburban Philadelphia, he kept his undefeated record intact and affirmed his status as a force to be reckoned with at 147 pounds.

James (16-0, nine KOs) sent his more experienced opponent, Daniel Sostre (13-11-1) of Highland, N.Y., to the canvas twice in the second round, the first on an overhand right and the second on a left hook that ended the fight.

“I felt like my speed was on point tonight, and I noticed that when [Sostre] was jabbing, he was bringing his hand back low,” said James. “So the first knockdown was actually a counter right hand that I threw after he jabbed, and it caught him right on the chin.”

Seconds later, James finished the job that he came more than 1,200 miles to do.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

“When I saw that he was hurt, it was time to jump on him,” he said. “I noticed that he kept leaning to the right side, so I know that was going to catch him with a kind of left hook-uppercut.”

James has now boxed 72 rounds as a professional, and he believes that the time has come for him to get in the ring with higher-caliber opponents.

“I’ve worked hard for this all of my life,” he said. “A boxer’s development is a step-by-step process. As an amateur, I competed against [world champions] Danny Garcia and Terrence Crawford. I got to work with Lamont Peterson. I see the success they’re having, and I know that I can be on their level.”

James — who hones his craft at the Circle of Discipline, located on Lake Street in South Minneapolis — stands 6-foot-2, and his lanky frame and reach make him a puzzle for opponents.

“Every time I step in the ring, I’m representing my gym and all of Minnesota boxing, which is very underrated,” he said. “I’ve been training at the Circle of Discipline for years. When I was younger, I had so much energy, such a bad temper, and my mom [Sierra Samuels] was a single parent. She took me there, and it’s made all the difference in my life.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

“The Circle caters to the inner-city youth, the troubled kids who need to channel their aggression into something positive. I’m a mentor there, and I carry that weight on my back every time I fight.”

Recently, James signed with manager Al Haymon, the biggest power player in the sport and Floyd Mayweather’s adviser. Having Haymon in his corner ensures that James will get exposure and the opportunity to move from prospect to contender and perhaps crack the upper echelon of the welterweight division.

“I’m patient,” he said, “but when the phone rings, I’ll be ready.”

 

Retated content: Fire and ice: Sierra Leone Samuels referees with a cool hand

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Sam shows her stuff

Next Post

Sports still rife with racial stereotypes

MSR News Online

Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.

You Might Also Like

McCarthy’s downfall: Rogue Republicans remove House speaker in unprecedented vote
National

McCarthy’s downfall: Rogue Republicans remove House speaker in unprecedented vote

Facing criticism, feds award first maternal health grant to a predominantly Black rural area
National

Facing criticism, feds award first maternal health grant to a predominantly Black rural area

Upcoming Black Business Ball gives Black-owned businesses a night to shine
Local

Upcoming Black Business Ball gives Black-owned businesses a night to shine

Minneapolis police officers head to Alabama for HBCU recruiting trip
Local

Minneapolis police officers head to Alabama for HBCU recruiting trip

Ampersand Families
Employment

Human Resources Manager, ampersand families

Program Coordinator
Employment

Office Coordinator

Next Post
Sports still rife with racial stereotypes

Sports still rife with racial stereotypes

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Oct 3
October 3 @ 8:30 am-October 4 @ 5:30 pm

Insects: Little Body, Big Impact | Nobel Conference 59 | Virtual or In-Person

Oct 4
6:00 pm-8:00 pm

An Evening with Liz Cheney

Oct 5
7:00 pm-9:00 pm

The Bombing of Cubana Flight 455: Why it Matters

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

PHOTO: Barbie back-to-school party

A Barbie back to school party.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: