James victorious against Demarco
An all-out war broke out in front of 3,170 fans at the Amory in Minneapolis as unbeaten welterweight contender, and Minneapolis-native Jamal “Shango” James stayed that way against Antonio DeMarco winning by unanimous decision.
It wasn’t easy for him however as the former world champion was game in which will go down as the best scrap aired on television this weekend. While the judge’s scorecards all ruled in favor of James 98-92, the action that took place in this one would reflect a closer contest.
The fireworks began in this one in the second round where both fighters decided to go toe to toe and started to exchange body shots. Demarco from there got James up against the ropes and started wailing away. James was able to withstand the onslaught, and from that round on is when the battle began.
James-Demarco R2 was straight ? pic.twitter.com/6YRvICcXoV
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) July 14, 2019
Throughout the remaining eight rounds of the match, what went down was an incredible back and forth throughout where James and Demarco would exchange shots. James would fire off a combination, and then Demarco would fire back with an answer. Neither man was willing to go down in this one and didn’t over the ten round welterweight contest. On the broadcast, Ray Boom Boom” Mancini called this match the Fight of the Year that he has seen. I wouldn’t go that far, but I would say it would make my list had I had to revise this one as an honorable mention.
James was asked after the fight about a chance at a title shot and wasn’t hesitant for an opportunity when asked by Fox’s Jordan Hardy:
“Who wanna give me this opportunity? I’m not ducking anybody. I’m hungry. You know boxing is a short-lived career, and I’m going for broke, and I want that title so whoever wants to give an opportunity, let’s get it.”
After this main event victory in his hometown, it’ll be interesting to see where they place him next in the land of PBC welterweights.
Jamal win the Battle at The Armory!
What. A. Fight. @JamalShango gets it done by UD. pic.twitter.com/PcyHsWX1kt
— FOX Sports: PBC (@PBConFOX) July 14, 2019
Marquis Johns is a unknown humorist and avid boxing fan. His love for the sweet science goes back to when matches were 15 rounds and has been covering fights since closed-circuit pay-per-views. Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth is not only a quote by Mike Tyson, it's also a pretty good reminder to keep your guard up.
