Jamal James Out-Punches Thomas Dulorme and Other Results from L.A.

In a night of frustration Jamal James handily defeated Thomas Dulorme to win a version of a welterweight title by unanimous decision in the middle of Los Angeles without a single fan present on Saturday.

At the Microsoft Theater at LA Live, James (27-1, 12 KOs) out-punched Puerto Rico’s Dulorme (25-4-1, 16 KOs) to win the interim WBA welterweight belt. Usually on a Saturday night the area would be packed with people.

In one of prizefighting’s most talented divisions, the angular figure of James showed off his boxing prowess with an unneeded touch of illegal defense to boot. Dulorme, a rugged, heavy-handed Boricua never could figure out the solution against the taller fighter.

James showed off quick feet and quick hands and more surprisingly showed off the ability to fight inside. Instead of taking advantage of the inside war, Dulorme often held instead of punched. It was frustrating to watch.

Another frustrating tactic was James turning his back to his foe as a means of defense. He continued to use the same tactic until referee Tom Taylor warned him of the trick. A fighter is never supposed to turn his back. It can be seen as a form of submission.

Once James stopped turning his back, he went on full attack and used his jabs and combinations to befuddle the slower and unsure Dulorme. After 12 rounds the judges were sure James was the winner and gave him the decision by scores 115-113, 116-112, 117-111.

Jamal James now enters the upper realm of welterweight contenders.

In another welterweight clash, Luke Santamaria (11-1-1, 7 KOs) scored a first round knockdown over the much taller Mykal Fox (22-2) and from there on it was all-out war.

Santamaria was able to fight inside against Fox who decided to forsake his reach advantage and entered trench warfare. Though the action was fierce Santamaria was able to slip and counter more than Fox. That was enough to convince the judges that Santamaria was the winner in this spirited fight 96-93, 97-92 and 99-90,

The knockdown scored by Santamaria came early when the Southern California fighter connected with five consecutive blows and downed Fox in the corner. The fighter out of Maryland recovered and refrained from using his height and range and instead fought nose-to-nose. Though he fought gallantly the early knockdown gained Santamaria an advantage he would never lose.

Super Middleweights

In only his third pro fight David Morrell (3-0, 2 KOs) defeated experienced veteran Lennox Allen (22-1-1, 14 KOs) in a battle of southpaws to win the interim WBA super middleweight title. Morrell, 22, was a Cuban amateur star and looked strong. But it wasn’t an easy fight against 35-year-old Allen who set numerous traps against the Cuban fighter and landed. But not enough to hurt the youngster who won by decision 118-110, 119-109, 120-108.

Super Lightweights

Texas fighter Omar Juarez (8-0, 4 KOs) had the better skill but found it tough to find the very athletic Willie Shaw (12-2, 8 KOs) in winning by unanimous decision after six rounds. Juarez, 21, was more precise in his punching but was hit here and there by the long quick hands of Shaw. No knockdowns as judges scored in favor of Juarez 59-55, 58-56, 60-54.

Other Bouts

Brooklyn’s Michael Coffie (10-0, 7 KOs) was too big and strong for Oxnard’s Luis Pena (6-1, 6 KOs) and won by knockout at 1:35 of the fifth round. A counter left hook dropped Pena in the third round. Coffie also connected in the fifth and floored Pena during a furious exchange. Pena beat the count but was clobbered by a few more punches, forcing referee Tom Taylor to end the fight.

Vito Mielnicki (6-0, 4 KOs) knocked out the taller Chris Rollins (3-2, 2 KOs) to win their welterweight bout in the second round. Mielnicki connected during a lapse in defense by MMA fighter Rollins and dropped him. Though he beat the count he was under attack when referee Jerry Cantu stopped the fight at 2:19 of the second round. Rollins protested at the stoppage. Mielnicki, 18, had a rough year as he missed high school graduation due to the pandemic.

Photo credit: Sean Michael Ham / TGB Promotions

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