Jamel Herring guest commentator on Ring City USA

Current WBO junior lightweight champion and U.S. Marine Jamel Herring will be a guest commentator on the April 22 Ring City USA broadcast on NBCSN. 

WBO junior lightweight champion Jamel Herring is showing that his talents stretch beyond the ring when he joins the commentating team for the Thursday, April 22 Ring City USA event from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The Ring City USA card was originally supposed to feature heavyweights Stephan Shaw and Jermaine Franklin in the main event, but Franklin tested positive for COVID-19. That fight has been postponed, and Jelena Mrdjenovich vs. Erika Cruz Hernandez for Mrdjenovich’s WBA featherweight title is the new main event.

Herring (23-2, 11 KOs) defeated Carl Frampton by TKO in round 6 when they fought in early April. It was arguably the best performance of Herring’s professional boxing career and marked the third successful defense of Herring’s title.

Before becoming a professional boxer, Herring served two tours of duty in Iraq as a United States Marine Corps member. Getting to celebrate boxing and the U.S. military at the Ring City USA event is special for Herring. It’s also a little nostalgic to look back on his life and reflect on the stages ranging from Marine to 2012 Olympian, and now as a world champion boxer.

Boxing world champion and U.S. Marine Sergeant Jamel Herring will be calling the Ring City USA fight card from West Point

“I was thinking about my time from Iraq to where I am at now, and it feels like a dream at times,” Herring told FanSided during a recent media call. “I know fellow Marines who love the sport of boxing as well who used to dream about being in the position I am in. I remember clearly back in 2007, I was literally in Iraq during the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather fight. I remember thinking I need to get back into the sport of boxing. I need to get back in the sport when I get home to America. Just to remember that day clearly and to see where I am at now – it’s a blessing.”

The main event will be televised on the NBC Sports Network at 9 p.m. ET. Prelim bouts which will also feature West Point cadets, can be viewed on Ring City USA’s Twitch channel at 5 p.m. ET. The fight card will also appear on the Armed Forces Network for members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving overseas. Herring believes that it is vital for military boxers to get opportunities to box in they want to develop their skills.

“It is hard for us in the military to get to the highest level in boxing. I remember I met Ken Norton before he passed when I was an active duty Marine in 2006. I was also very close with Leon Spinks, who recently passed away. I look back at those two individuals, and I think that I am only one of the remaining marines to carry a world title – it means a lot to me, but I would also like to see more follow my path.”

Herring still has a lot of fight left in him but could see himself having a career as a boxing commentator when his boxing days are over.

“I love the commentating aspect of the sport because it allows me to speak on my public opinion and give my knowledge of the sport as well,” said Herring. “I can definitely see myself doing this as a career in the future, but right now, I am just taking full advantage of the opportunity and the moment. I am glad to be a part of it.”

It should be a great night of boxing from Ring City USA in a truly unique event giving thanks to those serving in the U.S. military.