BOXING: NEWLY CROWNED CHAMPIONS JAMES, MORELL JR. SAY THANKS TO BARNUM

Jamal James and David Morrell Jr. to Host a Community Celebration and Appreciation Media Event October 27th in Barnum

Newly Crowned World Boxing Champions Say ‘Thanks’ to Barnum and Moose Lake neighbors at Training Camp Location Jamal James and David Morrell Jr. to Host a Community Celebration and Appreciation Media Event October 27th in Barnum Barnum, Minnesota (October 20, 2020) –

Minneapolis boxers Jamal “Shango” James and David Morrell Jr., two of the sport’s newest world champions, will display some heart-felt appreciation for the communities of Barnum and Moose Lake Minnesota, as part of an October 27th media event in Barnum.

The social distancing celebration will be held at the Circle of Discipline (COD) facility in Barnum, where James and Morrell trained in preparation for their nationally televised Aug. 8 championship fights in Los Angeles. James won the WBA interim welterweight crown with a unanimous decision over former world title challenger Thomas Dulorme, and Morrell defeated ring veteran Lennox Allen to capture the WBA interim super middleweight belt.

On behalf of COD Barnum, a registered business with USA Boxing, James and Morrell will thank Barnum-area leaders and businesses for their support during training camp. The community’s can-do spirit and hospitality broke through the haze of COVID-19 as businesses and residents offered curbside catered meals, laundry services, medical assistance and more.

Please note that the event organizers will follow all social distancing protocols. Masks will be required to attend.

Also, at the community celebration, the COD Barnum team will proudly announce plans to launch its COD afterschool youth program at the Barnum training facility. The program will offer a safe location for young people to learn, grow and connect with the community – all in a place where two world-class boxers prepared to win their championship belts.

James and the rest of Shango Nation know the value of safe and comfortable surroundings. The COD Afterschool Youth Program in Barnum will be patterned after a similar COD program in Minneapolis. Open for nearly 30 years, COD Minneapolis is where James got his start.

COD Barnum will re-launch its after-school youth programs after it’s safe to resume normal social activities and gatherings.

Civic leaders invited to the community celebration include: Gregg Campbell, principal of Barnum High School; Barnum Mayor Jason Goodwin; City Administrator Bernadine Reed; and Moose Lake Mayor Ted Shaw.

Invited businesses include the Rustic Diner in Barnum, which provided all fighters and camp staff with catering; Marketplace Foods in Moose Lake (groceries); and Kuhlman’s Laundromat in Moose Lake (laundry services).

James (27-1, 12 knockouts) has become a local fan favorite and a big draw at the historic Minneapolis Armory. The 32-year-old Minneapolis native has rolled off seven consecutive victories since suffering his only defeat in 2016.

Morrell Jr. (3-0, 2 knockouts) is a native of Cuba now fighting out of Minneapolis. A heavyhanded 6’1” southpaw, Morrell won 135 of 137 amateur bouts before turning pro last year with a first-round knockout win at the Armory.

Social Distancing Media Event At-A-Glance Who: Welterweight Jamal James / Super Middleweight David Morrell Jr Why: Community Appreciation and Celebration Event When: Tuesday, October 27 @ 1130am Where: 3857 Main Street, Barnum MN 55707 — training gym of Circle of Discipline Barnum