Jamel Herring, a late bloomer, gave the best performance of his career at 35 years old.
The WBO 130-pound titleholder overcame a bad cut to dominate former two-division champ Carl Frampton before stopping him in the sixth round Saturday night at Caesars Bluewaters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The victory was particularly gratifying for Herring (23-2, 11 KOs) after some suggested he quit in his most-recent outing, in which Jonathan Oquendo was disqualified for headbutting.
“It was an emotional roller coaster just getting here,” Herring said afterward. “My last outing wasn’t my best. People doubted me, they called me every name in the book. But even with the cut, I wasn’t going to give up, I wasn’t going to quit. … It was a great night.”
The fight was postponed three times, which made it difficult for both boxers. On top of that, Herring had to deal with his critics, who questioned his decision to tell the referee he couldn’t see instead of persevering in the Oquendo fight.
Well, none of that seemed to be on Herring’s mind on Saturday. If anything, it seemed to motivate him.
Herring, who had a significant height and reach advantage over Frampton, used his length to control the fight in the early rounds. His jab served as a barrier through which it was difficult for Frampton to pass. And when he did, he was met with crisp, accurate punches.
Then, in Round 4, things changed after it became clear that Herring was cut above the right eye – the same place as the Oquendo fight – early in the round. Suddenly the champion and challenger engaged in a fire fight, which allowed Frampton to do good work.
However, Herring, perhaps determined to show that he could fight through the cut, often got the better of inside exchanges.
The action continued in Round 5 until a straight left hand put Frampton on his behind about midway through the round. He seemed to be stunned by the punch but survived the remainder of the round.
Then, in the sixth, the two gave fans a phone-booth brawl until Herring sealed Frampton’s fate with the biggest punch of the fight, a left hook that rocked Frampton and put him on his back.
Frampton was able to get up but was easy prey. Herring landed a series of follow-up punches in attempt to put Frampton away before his corner finally screamed at the referee to stop the fight. And he did. The official time was 1:40 of Round 6.
Frampton had no excuses afterward.
“I just got beat by the better man,” he said. “I really struggle dto get inside him. He was sharpshooting from a distance, he had the perfect game plan. I have zero excuses.
“I had an amazing camp. I came into this fight to win it. I was just beaten by the better man.”
Frampton, 34, who was trying to become the first Irishman to win titles in three divisions, had said before the fight that he’d walk away from boxing if he lost. And they weren’t mere words.
“I said before I would retire if I lost this fight and that’s exactly what I’m going to do,” he said. “I wanted to dedicate this fight to [late trainer] Billy McKee and my whole career to my wife and my kids. They’ve made such sacrifices. I’ve been away so long. I’ve missed them growing up, my own kids.
“I want to dedicate my life to my family now. … I just want to go home to my wife and kids.”
Of course, Herring can now build off his spectacular performance. The WBO had ordered the winner of Saturday’s fight to face No. 1 contender Shakur Stevenson, assuming Stevenson defeats Jeremiah Nakathila next month.
If that fight happens, the doubters, swayed by Stevenson’s remarkable gifts, will be out again. And Herring will be that much more motived.
