Jamel Herring Responds To WBO’s Plans For Him

Jamel Herring is aware of the WBO’s plans for him.

Herring is coming off a successful title defense against Jonathan Oquendo in the main event of a Top Rank Boxing card. Herring maintained his hold on the WBO Junior-Lightweight gold. It didn’t exactly go down the way Herring envisioned, however. He took the disqualification win after a headbutt from Oquendo was ruled intentional.

The WBO recently stated that they are allowing Herring time to recover but he must face the mandatory challenger in January 2021. As of now, that challenger in undefeated sensation Shakur Stevenson. The problem is, Herring and Stevenson are close friends.

Speaking to Boxing Scene, Herring discussed what’s next for him and responded to the WBO’s plans.

“I want Carl before the year is up, but Bob [Arum] told me after the fight that he’d like to push the fight back ‘til December/January time frame since I’ve been constantly training throughout the summer. I know the WBO is trying to force me to fight my mandatory by January, but I know [Top Rank] obviously has other plans, so I’ll see how that goes. We’ve stated many times in the past that we wouldn’t fight unless it was the very last resort.”

As you can tell, Herring continues his push to fight Carl Frampton. A 30-fight veteran, Frampton has been around the block. He has only suffered two losses in his pro boxing career. Those defeats were to Leo Santa Cruz and Josh Warrington. One has to wonder if Herring will get his wish, or be forced to fight his friend Stevenson or vacate his WBO gold.