Herring Outclasses Ito for WBO Junior Lightweight Title

On the night that would have been his daughter’s 10th birthday, and with supporters of his looking on in Kissimmee, Florida, Jamel Herring defeated Masayuki Ito to become the new WBO junior lightweight champion.

Herring overcome with emotion. This is why we love boxing.#ItoHerring pic.twitter.com/N3KWTSvnV3

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 26, 2019

🥊📸 @GEICO Photo of the Fight for #ItoHerring 📸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/jYzwUYai5d

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 26, 2019

Both fighters worked their jab in the opening frame, with Ito turning things up and being more aggressive with it in the next round. After some back-and-forth action, Herring began to use his left jab to his advantage in the fourth, using it to counter Ito’s right hand.

The two got into exchanges over the next few rounds, but Herring continued to work over the defending champion’s body. Both fighters looked tired by the time the championship rounds came, but things turned up in the 11th when Ito was rocked by a left hand that was nearly a knockdown.

Ito unsuccessfully continued to focus on his right hand and struggled to get out of clinches until the final bell.

All three judges ruled the bout in Herring’s favor, 116-112, 118-110, 118-110.

Jamel Herring wins by Unanimous Decision and is now a World Champion! 🏆#ItoHerring | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/ii4D9Y52I2

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 26, 2019

"USA! USA! USA!" Herring's supporters and the Marines cheering on the new World Champ 👏#ItoHerring pic.twitter.com/o98w85s6S8

— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 26, 2019