JAMES MOVING FORWARD AFTER TITLE FIGHT DEFEAT

Last Saturday’s title fight did not go as planned for Minneapolis’ boxing hero Jamal “Shango” James (now 27-2, 12 KO’s). Despite losing by 9th round TKO to Russia’s Radzhab Butaev (14-0, 11 KO’s), James says he will not be taking a step back and is already listening to future opportunities.

James boxed well against Butaev during the opening three rounds using his height, jab and straight right to outbox the persistent and strong Butaev. Butaev appeared to be OK with losing the early rounds in exchange for brutal body shots he was able to land to Minnesota’s James. The pressure and the body shots began to take a toll on James by the fifth round where his game plan began to unravel as his legs began to fail him. Still, James continued to land his own punches and never quit trying for the win.

Butaev was landing hurtful punches in the 9th round and referee Celestino Ruiz stopped the fight at the 2:12 mark with James on his feet. James did not agree with the stoppage but said afterward that he won’t blame Ruiz for doing his job. At Tuesday’s post fight press conference at the new Circle of Discipline training facility in Minneapolis James announced that he is already discussing future plans with manager Al Hayman.

” Unfortunately I fell short but that’s life sometimes” said James after while thanking his fans and supporters. “You dust yourself off and keep moving forward.”