30.03.07 – His birth name is Jameson Bostic. His friends know him as Jamie Kang. In boxing, he is rapidly becoming known as the sports best kept secret. Three-time world middleweight title challenger Robert Allen (38-5, 27KO) will find out the hard way on April 18, when he squares off against Bostic in their scheduled super middleweight matchup in Hoffman Estates, IL. There is no title at stake, not even a guarantee of advancement in the rankings. It’s risk now, reap the benefits whenever..
Bostic (10-3, 7KO) is optimistic the benefits will come sooner than later, with a win next month in Illinois .
“I feel like this is the big break my career has needed,” says Bostic, who has won seven straight. “I feel really good about my chances here. It’s a big test for me. With this fight, training changes. With a win, everything changes.”
A lot has already changed in the career of the beanpole southpaw. At 6’4″ and boasting an 81″ reach, it’s nearly impossible for Jamie Kang to sneak up on the super middleweight division. But a 2-3 start to your career makes it a little easier to secure fights and have people consider you an afterthought.
Originally fighting out of the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn (a.k.a. Do-or-Die Bed-Stuy), Bostic rushed his way to into the pro ranks, finding out the hard way what it takes to survive in the game.
“I only had five amateur fights when I turned pro,” says Bostic. “I was thrown in tough, taking fights I probably shouldn’t have taken with such little experience. But those fights helped me become a better fighter, helped prepare me mentally for the challenges that lie ahead.”
After scoring a 1st round knockout to begin his career in December 2003, Bostic hit a rough patch. An upset stoppage win over fellow Brooklynite Kevin Cruz was sandwiched by three close decision losses, two of which came against still-undefeated light heavyweights Max Alexander and Sean Corbin.
Still, no excuses. The learning curve was over. Get your head straight or get out of the game.
“I had to change the way I approached the sport,” Kang admits. “My mental approach to the sport is different. By moving from New York to Florida, I’ve been able to dedicate my whole life to boxing.”
The results speak for themselves. Eight straight wins, including several over budding prospects. His true mettle was tested in a September slugfest against then-unbeaten southpaw Juan Carlos Lamberti.
Bostic left himself open early in the first round, and was put on the canvas for the first – and to date, only – time in his career. He shook it off and not only survived the round, but made Lamberti pay dearly in the end. A single shot a minute into the fourth round iced the Puerto Rican for the full ten count and then some.
That fight put Bostic on the map, informing the world that his skills run deeper than his record suggests. He hopes to further send that message on April 18 against the veteran Allen, who has won 15 of his last 16 bouts. eHe
“I look at the fight as big step up, a good way to build my record up. He fought Bernard Hopkins three times, and has a lot of tricks up his sleeve. I’m getting ready for this fight like no other. I want this win, and keep going after bigger and better things, including anyone in my way to the top.”
With the fight less than an hour from Chicago, Bostic hopes to send a message to at least one rising undefeated prospect in particular.
“I want Donovan George, I want that fight so badly. I really want him. He’s undefeated and is well promoted. Everyone thinks I’m the better fighter, but he gets the headlines and the notoriety. I want to take that from him. I want everyone to remember my name.”
Jameson Bostic – or Jamie Kang. Take your pick, then run for cover.
The Jameson Bostic- Robert Allen bout serves as the co-feature attraction to a seven-fight card on Wednesday April 18, presented by Hitz Boxing and the Sears Centre Arena.