WBA #3, WBC #11 welterweight contender Jamal James (24-1, 11 KOs) returned to action in his hometown with an impressive second round KO over Mahonry Montes (35-8-1, 24 KOs) on Friday night at the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A body shot put Montes down for the count. Time was 2:58.

“I feel like I’m ready for the elite welterweights and tonight proved it again,” said James. “I’m going to keep working hard and taking down anyone they put in front of me. It’s time for me to make my mark in the division.”

In the co-feature, former middleweight title challenger Willie Monroe Jr. (23-3, 6 KOs) schooled late sub Javier Maciel (33-7, 23 KOs) over ten uneventful rounds. Scores were 100-90, 100-90, 99-91.

Unbeaten heavyweight Efe Ajagba (6-0, 5 KOs) was declared winner by disqualification when opponent Curtis Harper (13-6, 9 KOs) shamefully fled from the ring immediately after the opening bell sounded. Time was :01.

Super welterweight Jeison Rosario (16-1-1, 11 KOs) battered previously unbeaten Jamontay Clark (13-1, 7 KOs) for ten rounds. Rosario knocked Clark through the ropes and out of the ring in a big round three and punished Clark for the balance of the fight. Clark showed a big heart, but Rosario won 99-90-98-91, 97-97.

Unbeaten welterweight Eimantas Stanionis (7-0, 5 KOs) hammered out an eight round unanimous decision over Levan “The Wolf” Ghvamichava (18-4-1, 13 KOs). Scores were 80-72, 79-73, 79-73.

Towering unbeaten 6’6 super welterweight Sebastian “Towering Inferno” Fundora (10-0, 6 KOs) scored an impressive fourth round TKO over Antonio Urista (10-3, 2 KOs). Time was 2:23. Fundora is an exciting fighter.

Unbeaten super welterweight Leon Lawson III (8-0, 4 KOs) outpointed Brandon Adams (4-7-1, 2 KOs) over six. Scored 60-54 across the board.

Cruiserweight Efetobor Apochi (6-0, 6 KOs) battered and stopped Aaron Chavers (8-6-1, 3 KOs) in the first round. Time was 2:18.

Undefeated bantamweight prospect Gary Antonio Russell (12-0, 10 KOs), brother of WBC featherweight champion Gary Russell, blew out 44-year-old Nick Otieno (31-15, 13 KOs) in the first round. A left hook ended matters at 1:18.