Jamel Herring is ready to give up his WBO welterweight belt in order to make a fight with Oscar Valdez.
Speaking to Boxing with Chris Mannix on DAZN after a win over Carl Frampton that sent the Irishman into retirement, Herring was asked what he would do if the WBO told him to fight Shakur Stevenson or vacate.
Herring chose the latter.
“When I fought for the title, I wasn’t the mandatory, and they allowed me to have that opening window to live my dream, so I’ll always have respect and a special place in my heart for the WBO,” he began.
“But I’m at the stage where I’m also fighting for my own legacy. Even if they do take the title, I still think the Valdez fight outweighs the title, because we can still fight for the lineal championship.
“We live in an era of boxing where we have seen unified champions and they’re not the lineal champion.
“Everyone can’t have that coveted Ring Magazine title, which I really want, and it still gives me the chance to fight for another title, which is the WBC title. So if you weigh up the options, what would you do?”
After recovering from a bout of the coronavirus, Herring is aiming to make 2021 one of his best years, which further focused him on a fight with Valdez.
“2019, I was Ring Magazine comeback fighter of the year - Imagine if I was fighter of the year,” he explained.
“It would start a conversation down the road of me being in the hall of fame.
“I don't want to give up my title but if I have to, I’ll respect the decision. My boy Shakur has been patient. I’ll still choose the Valdez fight over anything else.
“Shakur has time on his side. I don’t have it."