Jamel Herring Talks Roach and Ring Walk
No stranger to adversity, Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring has bounced back from two career defeats to become a world champion. In a generation where losses are vilified to outrageous proportions and the undefeated records are shamelessly salivated over, this was no easy feat to accomplish. Nevertheless, Semper Fi successfully claimed a unanimous decision win over Masayuki Ito on May 25.
At the moment, the WBO has ordered a match between Herring and undefeated Lamont Roach (19-0-1, 7 KO’s). Although ordered, the two camps are still in negotiations and have yet to announce a fight date or venue. While technically it’s still up in the air, there shouldn’t be any great difficulty in finalizing the bout. The bout against Herring will be Roach’s first world title opportunity and his biggest step-up in competition. Even though Herring is well aware of this, he is not allowing himself to take his youthful challenger lightly. In a rather interesting interview conducted by Barbershop Conversations, Herring went more in depth about his next ring outing.
“So we all sparred. Like I said, we all know each other. That’s why I can sit back and like laugh at some things, but like I say, when you get put in that title contingency, in that category, it’s a whole different feeling. So, I got to take it as I might be getting the best Lamont Roach that we haven’t seen yet. Once you start sleeping on people, and thinking it’s going to be easy work that’s when you go in there, and you may still win but you may put on a shitty ass performance. Then all you are doing is ruining your chances of getting those big fights because no one wants to come out and see you.”
CHAMPION ASPIRATIONS
For now, Herring’s attention is focusing intently on Roach. However, he would be lying to say he doesn’t have an eye on the rest of the division. Like all top competitors, especially current champions, seeking to unify is always at the forefront of their minds. Herring is no different. If successful against Lamont Roach, Semper Fi would greatly enjoy testing his skills against WBC super featherweight champion Miguel Berchelt.
“I was more upset with the fact that he [Berchelt] gets on social media and acts like he never called for the fight, or the fight was never, you know what I’m saying, that offers were never made. So that’s what got me mad with that situation, so, that fight is definitely one of the ones that I wanted simply because I wanted to keep pushing myself since he is considered number one in the division.”
Only time will tell if, or when, a bout between Herring and Berchelt will ever materialize in the ring.
RING WALK OF CHAMPIONS
Another item of speculation is an interesting theoretical ring walk that Herring has bouncing around in his head. Having boxed all over the country, Herring has forged a number of friendships with fellow fighters that he holds dear. Two such unions are with Terence “Bud” Crawford and Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr.
The boxing community is well aware of the current fervent welterweight rivalry between the two men. However, Herring would greatly enjoy if they put their grudge to the side for his next fight.
“If I had it my way, and I will bring it up to both of them, I want both Bud and Errol to walk me out for my next fight. Who’s done that? Who’s done it, you feel me…just to show, you know, we can be competitive but we can all still have mutual respect for one another at the end of the day.”
If that was to come to fruition, it would certainly be memorable moment and extremely buzz worthy!
3kingsboxing will continue to provide coverage on Herring and his forthcoming dust-up with Lamont Roach, as well as any notable features surrounding the title fight.
By: Bakari Simpson
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