Jamel Herring often smiles when he thinks about his boxing career. In totality, it contained a little bit of everything.
He remembers the 15-fight win streak to start his career. Herring also remembers losing two out of three during a brutal stretch from 2016 to 2017. When he was at his lowest, the now 37-year-old picked himself up off the canvas, dusted himself off, and continued to believe in himself. That self-belief led to a two-and-a-half-year title reign and big-time wins over the likes of Lamont Roach and Carl Frampton.
Still, no matter how great the run, Herring’s final chapter didn’t go as planned. Following back-to-back losses to Shakur Stevenson and Jamaine Ortiz, Herring was beltless and heading in the right ring direction.
None of that mattered, however. Herring secured generational money, became a widely popular fighter, and a champion. So, with nothing left to prove, he retired.
In spite of his achievements, Herring couldn’t stand how things eventually played out. Anxious to rewrite those final few pages, he’s officially making his return when he takes on Nicholas Molina on a small card on November 7th.
For Herring, winning is important but closing things out the way he sees fit is at the top of his agenda.
“It’s a chance to go out on my own terms,” Herring told MillCity Boxing. “Just to get back to where I was at before, at least on the winning terms. Also, another opportunity afterward for a second world title.”
That aforementioned title shot, if everything goes according to plan, could come against Joe Cordina, the IBF super featherweight champion.
Beating Molina, at least on paper, isn’t an impossible task. While he is undefeated, only once has he faced an opponent with a winning record.
Herring won’t receive national praise for grabbing the victory, nor will his name be plastered on the front of newspapers. But, regardless of it being a smaller stage than he’s accustomed to, Herring isn’t kidding around in his preparation.
“I’m taking this fight like it is a title fight. It’s a lot riding on this.”