Marine Corps Yellow Footprints, Death Of His Daughter, Military Combat- Jamel Herring Earns The Ultimate reward “World Champion”

BY Scottie “The Context” White

The glory of May 25th harvested years of blessings for this New Yorker, a man who convoyed through a path of trials and tribulations in his lifetime. Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring chose to lace up his first pair of gloves as a sophomore in high school, he would punch start his invitation to the sport of boxing, then raising his right hand taking an oath enlisting in the United States Marine Corps as a youth

PARRIS ISLAND SC – USMC

A tough decision for anyone, leading him to the infamous Parris Island footprints for several weeks to complete one of the toughest boot-camps of any military service. While active duty, his military commitment led him to deploy twice on a pair of Combat Tours, an intense real life war zone where he would not only fight to protect his own life but ensure his vigilance protected those comrades around him.

COMBAT ZONE TOUR OF DUTIES

Herring never faltered as a weapons gunner, he attended several life changing convoys that flickers the mental still of those comrades killed with boots on the ground. These reflective images in the heat of battle never egress the minds of the witness, soldiers may sustain residual degradation of a disability called (PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He may have packed up and deployed from the front lines of Fallujah but the chaos seen through his pupils, is a riveting depth of Intel which is none omitting. His memory will forever be his hard drive, it’s no leaving it locked in a box like pandora. No, this is a crucial daily reflection to a nightmarish reminder, which pages memories like a book in the wind.

As Herring missed the special birth of his first child, he would definitely be on time for the birth of his second named Ariyanah, her life calendar was May 25, 2009. A memorial day stamp which made the joy in life that much brighter. The unconditional love was abundant with a blessing of new life, his second child. Months later, Herring would be marked with tragedy, Ariyanah was found unresponsive in her crib, she was immediately administered CPR by Herring. She was ambulatory to the nearest hospital , a waiting period with pulsating hearts await the doctors prognosis, staying positive that his young girl would survive this heart wrenching moment. Doors would open to the company of a doctor walking over to them, his words would ring the bell of emotions “I’m sorry to tell you, but we lost her.” Herring daughter wouldn’t survive her ordeal, she past from SIDS (Sudden infant death syndrome.)

As he mourned, it stifled his motivation to do anything. It would disrupt his active training as a boxer on the U.S. Marine boxing team. Herring didn’t want nor was he inviting any extra attention. As days would expire, weeks past in rotation, then a lucid glimmer would pinch his darkest moment. A spiritual halo invigorated his fortitude in regaining his footing, his internal will was to stand again and march forward with a renewed calibrated focus. Motivated, he would pulse that energy in memory of representing his daughter anniversary. His boxing travels led to the doorstep in earning the Arm Forces title, a U.S. national champion and a Captain leading the U.S. Boxing team out in the opening commencement for the London Olympics.

Herring would excelled in his military career earning the rank of Sergeant, and balancing his uniformed duties with raising a beautiful family as he served. One of the U.S. Marines motto is “God Core Country” which encompass a layer that one is a Marine 24/7 and to served with honor, courage and commitment. Herring payload in life may have crushed the shoulders of the average man, as he would competed in his professional career having to implement those same values taught to him as a Marine. Improvise, Adapt and Overcome, he would egress from different sets of team to finally settling in with champion trainer Brian McIntyre, the team of three-division WBO boxing champion Terence Crawford. This wouldn’t heal all his pain, especially competing in one the most brutish combat sports in history but allowing his courage to band-aid those points of healing enough to challenge for the ultimate crown of a world title.

Herring recorded ledger is now 20-2 (10KOs) tallying an impressive three fight winning vanguard, as he defeated Juan Sanchez, John Vincent, and Adeilson Santos to set up the toughest challenge of his boxing promise. His opponent who is now the former WBO champion Masayuki Ito 25-2-1 (13KOs) a boxer from Tokyo Japan met face to face with Herring center sphere, as the referee protocol his final instructions.

The bell sound the commencement in Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee Fl. The 33 yr old Herring close the center to engage the much younger 28 yr old Ito who was attempting his second title defense heading into this out a slight favorite for this Super featherweight bonanza. The southpaw Herring postured well early rounds, establishing a punctual jab, winding out to his right avoiding Ito power right hand and kept the champ off beat in establishing any effective momentum. Just outside the ropes, Terence Crawford belted helpful advice to his gym compeer Herring, as he boxed superbly into the second half of this championship stanza. Herring jab sizzled in perfect attendance off the jaw line of Ito. As the seventh frame drew closer, many of the compubox numbers registered Herring slight lead to the unofficial roster. Ito corner was vocal with their instructions to switch up the feints, gas up the pressure and stop head hunting the elusive Herring who was pivoting beautifully away from those power shots.

Herring boxing mastery, poised heading into the “Championship Rounds”

Cheering roared from the crowd in this boxing chess display, as the pace quickened, where both fighters landed their punching exclamations to the attention of scoring judges. Ito energy had desperately sharpened, as his present pressured increased the risk to land that fight changing shot. Ito stalked Herring anxiously with power shots, occasionally landing on the counter etiquette of Herring active combinations. The final minutes swallowed in anticipation, Herring fans frenetic in keeping him from any deleterious treatment from a pledging Ito who was fully assiduous that the fight was close and he may indeed be trailing into night where his title would change ownership to the contender Herring. Herring trainer Bomac remained stern in keeping his fighter attuned to the finish line, stay sharp, and be smart.

Hearing the final bell, briefly the fighters converged to the center as famed announcer Jimmy Lennon jr rendered the victor to this WBO super featherweight psalm.

The microphone echoed 116-112 | 118-110 x 2 and #THENEW as Herring whelp dropping to his knees, fan raucous the arena chanting “USA USA USA” on fitting for a U.S. service member who has just completed a different type of duty, a hard fought promotion of a different merit, a tremendous medal to addition his left breast pocket of military awards.

A joyous leatherneck, devil dog or shock troop, all the alias titles dear to those who have earned the title U.S. Marine. Hearing that motivated OOH-RAH OOH-RAH from adoring fans of Jamel Herring out of Omaha Boxing Academy.

An acuminating moment closest to his heart, celebrating his daughter Ariyanah spiritual ambiance, which has been the air beneath his wings, as his flight wasn’t meant to remain grounded in the darkest time of his life. 10th year anniversary to Ariyanah passing, her spiritual remembrance and being the brightest angel in the building.

My brother in arms, I salute you! Never did you quit or give up amid all the sacrifice. Blood, Sweat and Tears – Semper Fidelis and God Speed.