Unbeaten super welterweight prospect, who goes by the nickname "The Quiet Assassin," might not say much outside the ring—but he's ready to make a big statement July 28 on the PBC on Showtime card when he faces fellow unbeaten Terrel Williams.
Clark vs Dolton Highlights: November 17, 2017 - PBC on FS1
Cincinnati native Jamontay Clark, a left-handed 6-foot-2 boxer-puncher, is the antithesis of his more widely known and vociferous 5-foot-6 pugilistic Ohio brethren, the late Aaron Pryor.
A former IBF and WBA 140-pound champion, Pryor known as ‘The Hawk,’ retired in 1990 with a mark of 39-1 that included 35 knockouts. He was known for pointing an ominous fist at opponents before each of his fights and crashing a Sugar Ray Leonard press conference before challenging him to a fight.
And then there’s Adrien “The Problem” Broner (33-3-1, 24 KOs), who has earned titles at 130, 135, 140 and 147 pounds while drawing criticism for his polarizing antics inside and outside the ring.
While both Pryor and Broner are known for their verbal antics before fight, Clark (13-0, 7 KOs) prefers to let his fists do his talking. He’s armed with an amalgam of speed, power, athleticism and an 80-inch reach.
“I’ve watched Aaron Pryor’s fight where he beat Tommy Hearns as an amateur. He backed up his talk with nonstop action, energy, head-movement and power,” said Clark.
“I got my nickname, ‘Quiet Assassin,’ from my coach (Kevin Bedford), because I mostly just don’t have much to say and just do my business. I don’t mind talking if somebody starts something, but I’m going to continue doing me.”
There hasn’t been much talking between Clark and his next scheduled opponent, Terrel Williams (16-0-0, 13 KOs). They are slated to meet in a super welterweight showdown July 28 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The fight has the potential to be the toughest of Clark’s career, but he is preparing to come away victorious. Clark is newly inspired in the wake of the birth of his 3-month-old son, Jamontay Jr.
“I love everything about being a father. It’s helped me mature, get my mind right and made me a better man,” Clark said. “It’s motivating me more to use my skills and to win my fights in more [definitive] fashion. I call myself ‘Suave,’ now, because I like looking good both in and out of the ring.”
Clark’s last victory was in November at 150 pounds, the sixth time he’s fought at that weight or higher. He competed at a career-high 153¼ for a unanimous decision over Edgar Ortega in June 2016.
Despite competing at super welterweight, Clark sees his future at 147 pounds. He’s targeting world champions Keith Thurman, Errol Spence Jr. or former titleholders Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia, Jessie Vargas, Devon Alexander and Andre Berto, among others.
“I’m trying to stick around at 147 until I get a title shot,” Clark said. “I’m younger and I’ll be bigger, taller and stronger than most guys at that weight.”
“ I’m trying to stick around at 147 until I get a title shot. I’m younger and I’ll be bigger, taller and stronger than most guys at that weight. ” Unbeaten 154-pound prospect Jamontay Clark
Clark displayed versatility over the course of his past three televised victories — a seventh-round stoppage over hard-punching southpaw Gaku Takahashi (March 2017), a disputed unanimous decision in June over previously unbeaten hammer-fisted left-hander Ivan Golub of the Ukraine, and a majority decision over Domonique Dolton in November.
“I never let off of the gas against Gaku,” said Clark, who went the eight-round distance against Golub and Dolton for the first time in his career. “He was a tough guy with a good chin. He kept coming and I kept coming.”
Clark edged Golub (13-0, 11 KOs coming in) at 148½ pounds in the pressure-filled atmosphere of the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.
A competent counter-puncher with a sharp jab and body attack and sniper-like accuracy, Clark admits to having compromised his range against Golub in favor of a toe-to-toe, slugger-aggressor mentality.
“I could have made it a lot easier,” said Clark, who earned top honors as an amateur in the 2013 National US Championship and a spot on USA Boxing’s world team. “I can make adjustments, move a lot better, use my feet more to step around and out of the way instead of just catching shots on my arms.”
Golub was scheduled for a rematch but sustained an injury during training camp. Detroit’s Dolton replaced Golub.
Clark overcame a deep laceration over his right eyelid as a result of a clash of heads that bled profusely from the fourth round on against Dolton.
“My last fight with Dolton I had to slack up because of the butt,” Clark said. “Blood was in my eyes. There were a lot of punches I couldn’t see. I was able to bite down and get through it, otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone the distance.”
For a closer look at Jamontay Clark, check out his fighter page.
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