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Derrick James, renowned boxing trainer, finds himself facing multiple challenges as he navigates the complexities of his fighters' careers. His focus is divided between addressing the apparent distractions of Ryan Garcia and managing what appears to be a potential split with his star pupil, former three-belt welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.
In a recent "Cigar Talk" interview on YouTube with host Naji, James opened up about the strained relationship with Spence, who suffered a significant defeat against Terence Crawford last July. Despite the setback, James emphasized his commitment to his other fighters, stating,
"You can't look back. You can't look forward and look back at the same time."
Speculation about Spence's departure from James' camp intensified when Spence hinted at needing to "find a new home" on social media. Calvin Ford, trainer of Gervonta Davis, has expressed interest in bringing Spence onto his team.
During the interview, James discussed Spence's future in the ring, noting,
"If he's healthy and everything's good with him, he can keep doing what he's doing."
However, he suggested that Spence should pursue a rematch with Crawford to settle unfinished business.
James, who was named Trainer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2022, faced challenges last year with Spence's loss to Crawford and Jermell Charlo's defeat to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Despite these setbacks, James remains focused on guiding his current roster, which includes Garcia and unbeaten lightweight Frank Martin, through their upcoming fights.
Garcia, in particular, has raised concerns with his erratic behavior, both in public appearances and on social media. James emphasized that Garcia's actions are his own and urged him to maintain discipline outside of the gym.