Jamel Herring is used to being the underdog – it is a tag that has followed the 35-year-old around his entire life, even outside the ring.
He lost his daughter to sudden infant death syndrome, was constantly written off and yet even after losses in 2016 and 2017, Herring made it to the top of his game.
By 33 years old he was a world champion and in his last fight he sent Carl Frampton into retirement.
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Now Herring (23-2, 11 KOs) faces a completely different challenge, defending his title for the fourth time against undefeated rising star Shakur Stevenson.
Once again Herring is the heavy underdog, just as he likes it.
“It just plays into my story,” Herring said.
“I have always been the underdog, not just in boxing but in life. I don’t really get into the whole oddsmaker thing, I’m not a gamble anyway. It doesn’t bother me at all.”
Stevenson (16-0, 8 KOs) is just 24 years old but has made a quick rise in the boxing world but he too faces his toughest challenge yet against the experienced Herring.
Critics of Stevenson will point to his eight knockouts as evidence he lacks the power punch and now he is in need of a statement performance.
The two actually previously trained in the same gym but dismissed claims either could take it easy.
“He’s not my friend. I don’t talk to him outside of boxing,” Stevenson said at the press conference.
“If he slips up and makes any mistakes, I am going to capitalise.
“You will see a special night – my coming out party. He said he’ll spoil it? So let’s see.”
“It’s not personal. I’ve heard worse and been through worse,” Herring hit back.
“We will put our personal feelings to the side and go to battle.”
Stevenson, who is looking to become champion in a second division, weighed in at the 130 pounds (58.97kg) while Herring came in at 129.8 pounds (58.87kg).
WHEN IS IT?
Date: Saturday, Oct. 23
Main card: 10.30am
Main event (approx): 1.30pm
HOW TO WATCH
Tune in on Sunday 24 October from 1:30pm AEDT on Fox Sports 507.
TALE OF THE TAPE
JAMEL HERRING
Nationality: American
Date of Birth: Oct. 30, 1985
Height: 5-10
Reach: 72 inches
Total Fights: 25
Record: 23-2-0 with 11 knockouts
SHAKUR STEVENSON
Nationality: American
Born: June 28, 1997
Height: 5-7
Reach: 68 inches
Total Fights: 16
Record: 16-0 with 8 knockouts
WEIGH-IN RESULTS:
Main Card
Jamel Herring (129.8) vs. Shakur Stevenson (130), 12 rounds, junior lightweight
Xander Zayas (153.2) vs. Dan Karpency (153.2), 6 rounds, junior middleweight
Nico Ali Walsh (162) vs. James Westley (159.6), 4 rounds, middleweight
Undercard
Evan Holyfield (151.6) vs. Charles Stanford (151.6), 6 rounds, junior middleweight
Troy Isley (156.8) vs. Nicholi Navarro (156), 4 rounds, middleweight
Roddricus Livsey (142.4) vs. Eric Palmer (141), 6 rounds, junior welterweight
Haven Brady Jr (127) vs. Roberto Negrete (127), 4 rounds, featherweight
Antoine Cobb (144.2) vs. Jerrion Campbell (142.4), 4 rounds, junior welterweight
Harley Mederos (136) vs. Deljerro Revello (135.8), 4 rounds, lightweight
