Inactivity hasn’t been the best friend of Jamal James as of late. In both 2020 and 2021, the lanky contender made just one appearance apiece. He also didn’t make the most of it, losing his WBA “Regular” welterweight title to Radzhab Butaev.
Since then, James took over a year off to get his mind right. Once he did, he bounced back nicely, winning a wide decision against Alberto Palmetto. Still, that win hasn’t amounted to much. James is on the verge of being out of the ring for another 12 months and is desperate for something big to land on his lap.
Of course, James (28-2, 12 KOs) would love to tango with an established name. Most of them, nevertheless, including Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr., and Conor Benn, are all a bit occupied at the moment. The schedule of Jaron Ennis, however, is wide open.
The 26-year-old, outside of Crawford, is viewed as the man to beat at 147 pounds. James knows that his name isn’t ringing any bells currently. But, if Ennis needs a credible opponent to take on to kick off his 2024, James recently revealed that he’s ready, willing, and able to step in.
“If the opportunity is presented and I got the time to train for it, then I’m a take it,” James told Tha Boxing Voice. “You can’t pass up opportunities like that.”
By and large, Ennis has the sort of talent that you just can’t teach. Up until this point, not a single soul has been able to push him. But while running through the competition is good for his brand, some of the elites at 147 pounds are seemingly eschewing him.
It’s simply a case of high risk vs. low reward, at least from a financial standpoint. James though, isn’t looking for life-changing money. He merely wants to regain his championship status.
His inactivity has been the exact opposite of sagacious in terms of his development and remaining sharp. Ideally, James knows that jumping into the ring with Ennis a bit cold and rusty wouldn’t be the best plan. With that said, opportunities to fight for a world title don’t come every day.
“I would like to obviously get back in the ring and measure myself one more time before I call any type of big name but if they give me the opportunity, I’m not gonna turn it down.”