BOXING: JAMAL JAMES KO’S CHAVES IN 3RD
Jamal “Shango” James of Minneapolis, MN scored a huge third round knockout victory of former title
Photo credit: Peter Young/Premier Boxing Champions
contender Diego Chaves of San Miguel, Argentina on Friday night at the Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, Calif. James floored Chaves with a devastating body shot at the 2:12 mark of the third round of their welterweight contest. The impressive win made a huge statement for James who is seeking a world title shot opportunity in his stacked welterweight division.
Chaves entered the bout on a three-knockout streak but that didn’t intimidate James. He utilized his height and range to deter the aggressive Chaves in the opening round and his long, crisp jab to set up power shots in the second stanza. James started a strong body attack early in the third round, landing combinations to the body and head. With just under a minute left in the round, James connected with a strong right hand which backed Chaves in to the ropes. He followed with a flurry of punches, ending with a perfectly placed left hand to the body, sending Chaves to the canvas. The thundering left hook to the body put an end to the bout, giving James the knockout victory at the 2:12 mark of the third round.
“He’s a very strong fighter. I knew he was going to come strong, but I knew that he kind of tires out a little bit. I saw him throwing really wide shots and I was trying to catch him jumping in but I was thinking too hard about it,” James said. “As soon as I started letting my hands go, I caught him with two great body shots early.”
Despite having been in the ring with some of the biggest names in the sport, Chaves has only been stopped once before with that loss coming to current World Champion Keith Thurman. James knockout victory on Friday evening caught the attention of many in the boxing world and moved him closer to his goal of fighting for a world title in the jam-packed welterweight division.
“I’m trying to step it up each time, I’m going for a world title next year. Whoever is holding the title, I’m trying to get a shot at it,” James said.
Friday’s win moves James to an impressive 22-1 and announces his arrival on the scene as one to watch in 2018. James proudly represents his hometown of Minneapolis, Minn., and the Circle of Discipline gym where he works with youngsters and helps them to pursue their own goals both in and out of the boxing.
Click here to watch James’ third round knockout.
Click here to watch James full post-fight interview.
Photo credit: Peter Young/Premier Boxing Champions