Jamel Herring marked a return to the sport after an 18-month retirement on Tuesday night with a first-round stoppage victory over Nicholas Molina at the Edison Ballroom in Manhattan, New York.
Herring in May of 2022 announced his retirement following a points defeat to Jermaine Ortiz, as Herring attempted to manoeuvre himself back into the world title frame following a knockout defeat to Shakur Stevenson in October of 2021.
Herring appeared at the Edison Ballroom on an event promoted by Lou DiBella, a show themed on honouring former military service members, which was broadcasted live on DAZN.
Refreshed and rejuvenated, Herring confirmed in the summer months that he would be returning to the sport. Herring, during his hiatus, began his commentating career full-time, working with Top Rank as a member of their international broadcast commentary team.
Herring also returned under the tutelage of former WBC bantamweight world champion and multiple world title challenger Wayne McCullough.
Herring (23-4) would not have to demonstrate much to claim victory over the previously unbeaten Molina (13-0), with the official time of stoppage called at 2:49 of the opening round of a scheduled eight.
Herring would land a straight left at the halfway point of the opener, which sent Molina to the canvas. A scrambling Molina would rise to his feet and proceed to retreat in an attempt to survive the round.
The former WBO champion would proceed to pounce, landing a body shot and following up with another left hand, which sent Molina back to the canvas heavily and in distress from the onslaught. The referee, Arthur Mercante Jr, had seen enough when Molina was dropped for the second time and waved off the contest.
Victory for Herring marks his return to the winner's circle for the first time since April of 2021 when a stoppage victory over former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton in six rounds saw the military veteran claim a fourth successful world title defence of his WBO crown.
Herring extends his record to 24-4 (12 KOs), while Molina drops to his maiden defeat with a record of 13-1 (5KOs).
