east washington life
Jahmal Harvey: USA Boxing Featherweight Champion Meet Your Neighbor by Anthony D. Diallo
In December, he returned triumphantly to his school, located at 425 Chesapeake Street, as the recently crowned Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur (AIBA) boxing champion in the male elite weight class of 57 kg/125 lbs. division. He was welcomed back enthusiastically by students, faculty, and Principal Demetrius Lucas who wrote to Harvey’s family saying, “We are so honored to have Jahmal come back to his alma mater.” “Boxing changed my life because I loved all sports and especially this one. It gave me discipline and allowed me to travel the world,” Harvey said by phone before preparing to attend a small parade in his honor, organized by ANC Commissioner Olivia Henderson (8D02).
Pugilistic Excellence
Champion featherweight boxer Jahmal Harvey poses with some of his winning belts.
T
he last time that Jahmal Harvey was at Flora L. Hendley Elementary School, he was a rambunctious kid in the fifth grade known more for antics than achievements. Everything is different now for the featherweight.
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E a s t o f t h e R i v er D C N e w s . c o m
AIBA, also known as the International Boxing Association, is an independent sport organization that sanctions amateur (Olympic style) boxing matches and awards world and subordinate championships. The now 19-year-old pugilist won his world championship bout in November during a two-week stay in Belgrade, Serbia against an opponent from Kazakhstan named Serik Temirzhanov. Temirzhanov was a 2020 Olympian. The Eastern European bout brought Harvey’s illustrious record to 125 wins and five losses. Before claiming his first world title in that fight, Harvey beat another Olympian, Samuel Kisohurry, who is a French native. Harvey also vanquished the defending world champion Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov who hails from Uzbekistan. Harvey started boxing six years ago and since then has cumulated eight first-place finishes in various competitions including ones held at the National Junior Olympics, Youth National Championships, Elite National Championships, and the Emil Jechev Memorial Tournament in 2019. He became USA’s Boxing first male elite World Champion since 2007. Harvey recorded six wins in the Serbian tournament that totaled three rounds per a match and thus became the first USA Boxing featherweight World Champion since 1999.
Preparation & Dedication
Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are
planning to fail.” Harvey and his coach, Daryl Davis, took this saying seriously because Harvey’s diet and practice are not for the light-hearted. His training regimen for a fight includes waking up daily by 7 a.m., eating hot oatmeal, and drinking a bottle of water before running four miles around Rosecroft Village. Upon his return Harvey will shower, relax, and grab lunch around 2:00 p.m. It is always the same, a small sandwich or a small bowl of noodles. He forsakes his favorite food – French toast – to maintain his weight and phenomenal physique. By 6 p.m. he is at The Campus in Prince George’s County. It is a multi-faceted academic, athletic, and wellness facility. While there Harvey participates in daily strength conditioning and sparring six to eight three-minute rounds with a multitude of other fighters at the facility. The strength conditioning consists of pushups and a myriad of ab works. The day ends around 8:30 p.m. with Harvey showering and having dinner – a hearty but healthy salad.
Hendley Elementary School Principal Demetrius Lucas (left) and Jahmal Harvey pose for a picture.
