BOXING: JAMES, MORRELL OPEN TRAINING CAMP IN BARNUM FOR UPCOMING APRIL ARMORY CARD

Open Workout and Media Day for Minneapolis Boxing Stars Jamal ‘Shango’ James and David Morrell Jr. Set for March 19 in Barnum

Residents of Barnum, Minnesota – all 600 of them-are about to get some prominent new neighbors as world-class Minneapolis boxers Jamal “Shango” James and David Morrell Jr. set up training camp there in advance of their upcoming word title bouts at the Minneapolis, Armory. 

As good neighbors like to do, James and Morrell are hosting an open house. Media members from around the area are invited to say hello and check out some intense training sessions featuring the two contenders.

In separate bouts, James (26-1, 12 KOs) and Morrell (2-0, 2 KOs) headline a night of a PBC nationally televised world championship boxing card set for Saturday, July 25, at The Armory. The tradition-rich boxing venue has hosted fights featuring ring legends such as Sugar Ray Robinson and Henry Armstrong.

For James and Morrell, the road to the historic Armory starts in Barnum, a quiet small-town setting where the fighters can focus on their craft and prepare to make their championship dreams come true.

The open workout is set for Thursday, March 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Circle of Discipline Training Camp, 3857 Main St. in Barnum.

Who:  Top Welterweight Jamal James / Super Middleweight David Morrell Jr

Why:  Open workout and Media access

When:  Thursday, March 19, 11am to 1pm

Where: 3857 Main Street, Barnum MN 55707

James, ranked No. 5 in the world at welterweight by the World Boxing Association, is training to face former world title challenger Thomas Dulorme for the Interim WBA Welterweight Title in the FOX PBC Fight Night main event and on FOX Deportes Saturday, July 25 (originally scheduled for April 11). FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 7 p.m. CT /5 p.m. PT. and features

Also on the card, Minneapolis-based Cuban sensation Morrell Jr. steps up in his third pro fight to face unbeaten Lennox Allen in an Interim WBA Super Middleweight Title match.

James returns to the Armory for his fifth consecutive fight.

“We can’t wait to be back at The Armory in Minneapolis to see the city’s homegrown star Jamal James in another exciting fight in front of his hometown fans,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “He’ll look to further prove his status as an elite welterweight against the very dangerous Thomas Dulorme and capture an interim title in the main event. Cuban phenom David Morrell Jr., now based in Minneapolis, will make this an even more high-stakes night for the city’s boxing scene, as he fights for an interim title in just his third pro fight against tough unbeaten Lennox Allen.”

James has become a local favorite, packing The Armory every time he steps through the ropes. James most recently thrilled his hometown crowd in July with an exciting decision victory over former champion Antonio DeMarco in an FS1 main event. The 31-year-old has rolled off six consecutive victories since suffering his only defeat in a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugás in 2016. James has compiled three knockouts in his current win streak while defeating the likes of Diego Gabriel Chaves, Abel Ramos and Jo Jo Dan.  

“I’m extremely excited and honored to have my fifth fight back at home at The Armory,” said James. “We’ve created an empire with Minnesota boxing and being able to have these big fights at home is a huge blessing. Being the main event fighting top competitors at home and on FOX, it’s going to show Minnesota boxing to the nation. I’m extremely motivated and focused for this fight. I’m always training to my fullest, but we’re going extra hard for this fight.”

The 30-year-old Dulorme (25-3-1, 16 KOs) most recently defeated then unbeaten Terrel Williams in September, winning a unanimous decision after his previous contest had seen him fight to majority draw against two-division champion Jessie Vargas in 2018. Born in Marigot, Guadeloupe but fighting out of and representing Carolina, Puerto Rico, Dulorme rebounded from a loss to Terence Crawford for a 140-pound title by scoring back-to-back knockouts, leading up to a narrow decision loss to top welterweight Yordenis Ugás in 2017 on FOX.

“I am very excited to get a chance to fight for a title again,” said Dulorme. “I had a chance before, but this time I won’t let the opportunity slip away. James is a good fighter and I’m sure he will be motivated fighting in his hometown. I respect him, but I feel like I am in the prime of my career and it will show when I step in the ring.”

Morrell arrived in the U.S. last year and immediately began to show the same prodigious talents that made him a standout in Cuba’s iconic amateur scene. Now fighting out of Minneapolis, Morrell made his pro debut at The Armory in August, with a TKO victory in the first round. The 22-year-old followed that up in November on FS1, knocking out an opponent in Quinton Rankin who entered the fight with a 15-6-2 record and had most recently gone the distance with former champion Chad Dawson five months before facing Morrell.

“I’m very thankful to my team and excited for this great opportunity,” said Morrell. “I feel strong in training camp and I’m not underestimating Allen at all. I’m focused on getting one step closer to winning a world title for my family and fans in Cuba. I can’t wait to perform in front of my new family and friends in Minnesota and give them a great show on April 11.”

Born in Guyana, Allen (22-0-1, 14 KOs) turned pro in 2004 and has fought out of New York since 2010. He’s won 10 consecutive fights since a 2010 draw against Darnell Boone, including a 12-round decision victory over Kwesi Jones, a knockout of then once-beaten Kojo Issah and most recently a 10-round decision victory over Derrick Webster in February 2019. April 11 will make Allen’s second-straight fight in Minnesota, as his triumph over Webster took place in Hinckley.