The Heart of Boxing World Champion Jamal "Shango" James

On August 8, 2020, Jamal “Shango” James became the World Boxing Association Welterweight Champion. The win gave Shango the same title and belt previously held by boxing icons like Tommy Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In this interview, Shango discusses the incredible physical and mental resilience required to make a living as a professional boxer. A native of Minneapolis, Shango shares how he endured the pandemic that disrupted his career and the social unrest when George Floyd was murdered just blocks from where he lives and trains. He talks about what it was like to become a world champion winning the WBA Welterweight title and he candidly shares how he felt when he lost the title 15 months later. Shango also talks about his commitment to helping young people and how representing his family and community fuel him to pursue the title again. A new father, Shango closes the interview with how he would like to help his son develop resilience as he grows up.

When he was just aged five, Jamal “Shango” James made his first visit to a boxing gym. From that day forward, he was hooked. As an amateur boxer, he fought more than 100 bouts and turned pro winning his first match on May 22, 2010. He went on to win his first 20 professional bouts and has amassed a 28-2 professional record. In August of 2020, after months of waiting through the pandemic for his first chance at a title fight, Shango became a world champion with his victory over Thomas Dulorme in Los Angeles. While boxing has been a huge part of Shango’s life, he also writes musical lyrics and mentors young people at the Circle of Discipline gym where he trains.

“My definition of resilience is to not allow yourself to be broken by anything…life throws all sorts of obstacles at you. Sometimes you take hits, sometimes you fall back some steps, but you don’t let that defeat you. You realize, OK, that didn’t work out for me, but I know what I want, where I’m trying to go, so I’m going to always come back and figure it out until I get to my ultimate goal.” Boxing champion Jamal “Shango” James talking about the importance of resilience and what it means to him.