Derrick James; in the champion’s corner
Many times boxing is considered as an individual sport… yes indeed, we well know that it is the boxer who steps into the ring alone, risking life and limb in the pursuit of unforgettable nights of triumph, yet there are also some key characters, who function as guides, confidants, moral support and often even as family.
Trainers are a fundamental piece of the jigsaw in the conquest of glory. Would the legendary Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson have reached the same levels, if fate had not crossed their paths and destinies with the also legendary Angelo Dundee or Cus D´Amato?
We do not know precisely know if it´s predestined, but it happens … the teacher and the student meet and together create something epic. The teacher manages to take the talented young man to the next level, correcting mistakes, pushing the fighter to the limit, but at the self same time, the student with his innate talent, energy, unique perspective, continues to teach the teacher, creating, developing and balancing a unique relationship.
When we talk about the best trainers of today, Derrick James comes to the fore. An honest, loyal, patient, astute, brilliant and highly efficient man. A character who guides and steers few select fighters, as he wants to focus the keen and sharp attention that each of his fighters deserves, including two current unified champions, who are in divisions full of talent : Jermell Charlo and Errol Spence Jr.
Derrick James is a former amateur boxer with more than 40 years of experience in the sport. These factors and facets allow him to have an excellent plus perceptive understanding what happens inside a ring. He considers himself a man who believes in the fundamentals of boxing: “Move your head like this, move your feet, dodge blows like that … My goal is to slow things down and have a great reaction time, maintain the pace of the fight while having great defense.”
The unified welterweight champion fortuitously came his way. James meticulously assessed him, and after a talk with his father, Errol Spence Sr, he was asked to train the young promising prospect. Now, with several years of intense training together, the duo has managed to conquer incredible scenarios and they´re ready for even more.
Out there in the welterweight division, there are established names like Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter, Terence Crawford, Keith Thurman, and many more; however, James and Spence Jr. are good and ready to face each and every one of those challenges, with the intelligence and the ideal strategy, in order to continue making history.
On December 5, proud WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. will defend his belt against former champ Danny Garcia in what is expected to be one of the classic fights of the year.
