Camden’s Boxing Gold Medalist & Future of Boxing: Jamar “No Mercy” Talley
Camden, NJ Jamar Talley is fresh off an AMBC Gold Medal, and is ranked top 5 in the world as an amateur boxer. Many are projecting Jamar to be the face of his division in boxing for many years to come. Camden has produced many great fighters, and Jamar has distinguished himself as being the first boxer in the history of Camden to win a gold medal. During an exclusive interview with the editor of the nation’s faith based and professional newspaper for winners, Anointed News Journal, Jamar Talley tells us about his development as a boxing champion and his upbringing in the city of Camden.
Collins:
In an interview with Mr. Jamar Talley. Share with us who is Jamar Talley?|
Talley:
Jamar Talley is a young kid, ambitious man, headed to the top. I’m motivated and driven to be one of the best people in the sport of boxing that we have right now in this generation.
Collins:
You’re a young man from the city of Camden, 22 years old. And you are a boxer, an amateur fighter. What weight category are you in?
Talley:
I’m a heavyweight, 92 kilograms. I got about 35 fights and I’m on the Olympic team right now, trying to go to the Olympics in 2024, in Paris.
Collins:
So let me ask you Jamar, what motivated you to go into the sport of boxing?
Talley:
The origin of where it started was my father. He had got me into the sport around six years old. Every time we would be doing pad work or anything like that, his friends would say “this kid is talented…he’s got a future in the sport…” I finally got into the gym around 11 years old and the trainers there would say the same thing. So, I always wanted to take it to the next level, to see how true it was. That’s what made me stick with it. And once I started accomplishing things and having fights, it made me want more.
Collins:
There’s a lot of people who train in boxing just for the love of the sport and for the conditioning aspect of it. What was it like for you when you had your first amateur bout?
Talley:
The origin of where it started was my father. He had got me into the sport around six years old. Every time we would be doing pad work or anything like that, his friends would say “this kid is talented…he’s got a future in the sport…” I finally got into the gym around 11 years old and the trainers there would say the same thing. So, I always wanted to take it to the next level, to see how true it was. That’s what made me stick with it. And once I started accomplishing things and having fights, it made me want more.
Collins:
There’s a lot of people who train in boxing just for the love of the sport and for the conditioning aspect of it. What was it like for you when you had your first amateur bout?
Talley:
When I had my first amateur bout, it was crazy, man. I have coach Chris with me right here, my trainer; it was crazy man. It was a dog fight, I wanted to get the kid out of there. I really wasn’t trying to use my skills. I just went in there and I took him out, dropped him and they stopped the fight.
Collins:
When did you realize that this was a sport that you could take seriously and try to get to the next level?
Talley:
Once I won 2017 State Golden Gloves, I was novice. We knew when you turn open class, that’s having 10 fights, then you go to nationals. So, I wanted to go to that next level; I wanted to go to nationals and go to team USA. Around that time, I found out about the international tournament. I just wanted to see how far I could take it.
Collins:
Oftentimes times moms don’t necessarily like their young sons to participate in what they may consider violent or heavy contact sports. What was it like for you as far as having a support system from home?
Talley:
The support system from home is great. They want me to go out there and do the best I can do and take it straight to the top. That’s what I plan on doing. They’re all there for me; my mom is there for me. She’s never been scared; she wants me to go out there and go to work. When I call her, I call her up right before my fight. I’m like mom, “you know what time it is?” She’s like, “go to work. Hey, go to work Jamar.”
Collins:
That’s good stuff. So, you’re from the city of Camden. Camden produces a lot of professionals in athletics and in all walks of life. Some are not as fortunate; they get caught up by the streets. What words of encouragement would you give to your peers to stay on a positive track and pursue their dream?
Talley:
Find something that you love and have a passion for and stick with it. You may have friends and things like that, and they may try to steer you away, to parties or other things; that’s always going to be there. But you being the best you can be with your craft is only for a short amount of time, especially with youth on your side. So, you have to push to use your time to do that now, while you have it.
Collins:
You received a call that you were on your way to represent team USA. You’ve already done Golden Gloves, but now you are on your way to the Olympics. What was it like when you received a phone call knowing that you were heading to the Olympics?
Talley:
Well, the Olympic qualifiers would be next year. But for me, finding out that I’m on the team is a great feeling because I’m representing my country and where I come from, Camden, New Jersey. It’s showing people that it’s more out here to life, and it’s given me the opportunity to travel the world. A lot of people don’t get the chance to do that. So, I feel great.
Collins:
Now, currently you’re in a heavyweight division. You’re extremely tall, not a lot of weight to you. What do you see as your future in that division? Do you look to stay in that division or possibly a cruiser division?
Talley:
For when I turn pro, I would say I might have to just go straight into the heavyweight division, because it’s not a market out there for the cruiser weight. I would definitely want to be a multi-division champion, but at the same time, it’s not a market. The big bucks are in the heavyweight division.
Collins:
It’s great that you also understand the business side of the sport. Tell me about your team, your corner coaches. Tell me a little about how they impact your daily routine.
Talley:
Well, honestly, coach Chris here, I’ve been with him for about six years. When I was younger, he would always tell me, “Jamar, you got the talent and charisma and everything to be a champion, a legend in this sport.” Again, hearing things like that, I wanted to keep going and see how far I could take it, and I’m well on my way. I definitely have a good corner. My uncle Sean here, I trained with him too, since I was younger. There is definitely a lot of encouraging words and stuff like that. Everything helped groom me to be the man that I am today.
Collins:
It’s to my understanding that, you are the first gold medal winner from Camden.
Talley:
Yes, to my understanding the first in the city of Camden. This gold medal is from being the Continental Champion of the American Boxing Confederation; I won that in South America, Ecuador. I’m also top five in the world coming from the world championships in Serbia.
Collins:
The city of Camden is no stranger to champions in the sport of boxing. Are there any that you admire or had the opportunity to have conversation with about your future in this sport?
Talley:
Derrick Webster and Prince Badi, we all came from the same gym; Those were the people around me and I sparred these guys. They would tell me, “You definitely are on your way. You got what it takes.”
Collins:
So Jamar, you’re in great shape. What is your work ethic like? What is your workout like? How do you train to be as great as you are?
Talley:
Honestly, I’ve been going to a lot of different training camps. At this point in time in my life, I’ve been traveling around trying to get a lot of work in order to be the best I can be, looking for different looks and styles. I’ll be in a lot of different training camps, working out with different guys and adding to my toolbox.
Collins:
You are also a very intelligent young man, and well educated. How important is that in understanding your role as a boxer?
Talley:
That plays a good role because you don’t want to just be a boxer. You want to be an entrepreneur. You want to be able to be in any room with anybody and be able to communicate with them. So, it definitely plays a big role. You want to know the background, and the overall business of boxing, not just the art of boxing, but all aspects of the game.
Collins:
Like knowing contracts…
Talley:
Right. You don’t want anybody to get over on you. So, it plays a huge role.
Collins:
And you speak extremely well. That’s important for professional athletes as well, because after every boxing match, I’m sure there’s opportunity for you to speak.
Talley:
Yes. We want to stay sharp at all times.
Collins:
Let’s talk about some of your mentors on the educational side. As you grew up in the city of Camden, you are a product of the Camden city school district. You went to Creative Arts. Were there any educators that have mentored you when it comes to your self-confidence?
Talley:
Honestly, in school I just stayed to myself. But a lot of my confidence comes from my father. He instilled a lot of that in me to be the man I am today. I’ve got to give a lot of thanks to my dad, Omar Talley.
Collins:
Also, give us your coach’s name.
Talley:
Coach Chris Williams.
Collins:
What about a fan base? How can people follow you? Do you have social media?
Talley:
Yes, I’m on Facebook as “Jamar Talley” and Instagram as “Jamar.xl”.
Collins:
So Coach…Chris Williams…Tell me about Jamar.
Williams:
Jamar “No Mercy” Talley; That’s the ring name we gave him. He’s the future of boxing, trust and believe. He doesn’t believe there’s a market at light heavyweight and the cruiserweight… But I believe there’s a market, because this is the future and he will dominate the light heavyweights. He will dominate the cruiserweight. And when he turns of age and matures into 28 and the 30’s, he will become a heavyweight because when he first started, he was 230 pounds. He was a super heavyweight. We brought him down from out of that division to the heavyweight, where he dominates in that division. As he turns professional, he won’t have that weight on him for super heavyweight. He’ll come down a little bit, get to the light-heavyweight and dominate that division. Then he will move up into the cruiserweight where he’s at now and dominate that division. And then like I said, as he turns 28 and then into the 30’s, he’ll become a heavyweight because he’ll be more mature, and then he will dominate that division.
He is in the right era. All the giants that are in the heavyweight division now will be gone. All those 6’7” 280-pound guys like Wilder and Fury will be gone at that time. He’s in the right era to dominate the heavyweight division. This is your future. This is your legend. Once he wins the gold at the Olympics representing the United States, it’ll be special. There hasn’t been a gold medalist in United States to win the heavyweight in 35 years. The last one that won the heavyweight was Tyrell Biggs. So, once he dominates that division and wins the gold, he’s history. No Mercy Talley!
Collins:
Jamar, the Anointed News Journal has over 180,000 readers, weekly. In conclusion, what do you want to say to the readers of Anointed?
Talley:
I want to say, stay tuned. Be on the lookout for Jamar Talley and stay blessed. Continue to be the best you that you can be.
Collins:
You are also a young man of faith. How important is your God relationship when it comes to you succeeding in this sport?
Talley:
Everything goes to God. Glory be to God… All glory be to God.
The Anointed News Journal thanks Jamar for his time. It was a pleasure to talk with this charismatic young man, and future boxing legend. Look out for this 22 year-old, as he will certainly become one of the faces of professional boxing one day.
Name: Jamar Talley
Sport: Boxing
Classification: 91 kg
Weight: Heavyweight
DOB: 2/2/2000
Hometown: Camden, N.J.
Team/Club: Camden Boxing Academy
World Championship Experience
- 2021 Elite Men’s World Championships – 5th
Other Career Highlights
- 2022 AMBC Elite Championships – 1st
- 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing – 2nd
- 2019 Western Elite Qualifier – 2nd
- 2018 Elite National Championships – 3rd
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