By Vince D’Writer: Former WBO junior-lightweight world champion Jamel Herring ended his 18-month layoff/brief retirement when he stepped back inside the squared circle and scored a first round TKO victory over Nick Molina (13-1, 5 KOs) on Tuesday night November 7th at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.
Herring had a lot riding on this bout as he planned on using this fight as a barometer. Prior to the match, Herring had the mindset that if he produces an impressive victory then it would be motivation to continue boxing, but if he was to somehow lose or win in lackluster fashion, then it might be time for him to call it a career.
Back in May 2019, Jamel Herring defeated the defending champion Masayuki Ito by way of unanimous decision and won the WBO junior-lightweight world title. He held the title for two years as he made successful title defenses against Lamont Roach, Jonathan Oquendo, and Carl Frampton.
Herring would go on to defend his title against rising star Shakur Stevenson, but unfortunately he suffered a 10th round TKO defeat. The former WBO champion would return to the ring seven months later and get outpointed by top prospect Jamaine Ortiz.
After suffering back to back losses, Jamel Herring was ready to call it a career. Like most professional athletes, after being away from the sport for a significant amount of time, Jamel Herring experienced that itch to make a comeback.
On fight night, the southpaw Jamel Herring started the bout off by using the jab and then he knocked his opponent off balance when he landed a sharp one-two combination. After getting hit with the combination, the overmatched Molina went into survival mode as blood streamed from his nose.
The former world champion began to stalk his opponent and land well placed shots. Herring proceeded to land another one-two combination and scored a knockdown. Molina was able to get up, but Herring once again landed a one-two combo that sent Molina back down to the canvas, as the referee immediately put a halt to the contest.
The 38-year-old Jamel Herring (24-4, 12 KOs) is normally the type of fighter who likes to take his time and pace himself, but on the night of November 7th he felt the need to switch up on his tactical routine.
“I had to basically make a statement. I knew I had the experience department but at the end of the day everybody thought I was over the hill,” Herring said. “My man Wayne McCullough, he told me from the jump you still have something in the tank, but like my man JC over there says, it’s all about style points.”
The past two years the former WBO junior-lightweight champion Jamel Herring faced his share of adversity as he experienced a two-fight losing streak. Now he has a win, he feels rejuvenated, and he’s ready to face any fighter who sits at the top of his division.
