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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
'''James Butler Jr.''' (b. ], ] in ]) was an ] ] ], and former ] Super Middleweight champion. He had a career record of 20-5-0, with 12 wins coming by way of ], and was nicknamed "The Harlem Hammer."
{{short description|American boxer and convicted felon}}
==Biography==
{{Infobox boxer
Butler started off his career by scoring 18 wins and only 1 loss in the supermiddleweight division. This led to a title fight against ] who beat Butler by unanimous decision.
| name = James Butler Jr.
| image =
| nickname = Harlem Hammer
| realname =
| nationality =
| weight = ]
| height = 6 ft 0 in
| reach =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|12|18}}
| birth_place = ], U.S.
| style = ]
| total = 25
| wins = 20
| KO = 12
| losses = 5
}}
'''James Butler Jr.''' (born December 18, 1972) is an American convicted murderer and former ] who competed from 1996 to 2004. He challenged once for the ] ] title in 2000, but he is best known for his infamous bout on November 23, 2001 against Richard Grant where he was arrested after the fight for assault.<ref name='nyt'/> In 2004, Butler was arrested for the murder of Sam Kellerman and was sentenced to 29 years and four months in prison.


== Biography ==
Butler's next bout earned him infamy on ], ] at the ] in ], ]. After losing by unanimous decision to ], Butler had his gloves removed and went to Grant's side of the ring for an expected exchange of congratulations. Suddenly, Butler hit the unsuspecting Grant with a right hook to the jaw. Grant's jaw was badly broken. Butler was arrested and charged with ].
Butler started off his career by scoring 18 wins and only 1 loss in the super middleweight division. This led to a title fight against ] who beat Butler by unanimous decision.


Butler's next bout earned him infamy. On November 23, 2001, Butler took on Richard Grant on a special edition of ]'s '']'', which emanated from the ] in ] and was part of a charity event designed to raise money to help assist New York police and fire department personnel that survived the ]. The two had met earlier in their careers, fighting in 1996 when they were first starting out as professionals, with Grant winning a four-round decision. The fight was scheduled for ten rounds and went the distances, with all three judges scoring the bout for Grant.
Butler's last bout was a split-decision loss on ], ]


As the two men waited for the results, Butler asked for his gloves to be cut off. After Grant was announced the winner, Butler stood in his corner seeming unpleased by the decision. Grant then made his way over to Butler to congratulate him for his effort, but Butler ]ed the unsuspecting Grant with a right hook that dropped him to the floor. Grant lay dazed on the ring mat and bleeding from the mouth while broadcasters ] and ] called out for Butler to be arrested on assault charges. <ref name='nyt'/> Grant suffered a dislocated jaw and lacerated tongue from the unprotected bare knuckle punch, and Butler was eventually convicted of assaulting Grant and spent four months in ].<ref name='nydn' />


After Butler's assault, he would not return to boxing for three years. Returning as a light heavyweight, he fought four times and lost twice. His last fight was on another ESPN card against former super middleweight contender ], which he lost by split decision on August 10, 2004.
===Murder confession===
On ], ], writer ] (brother of boxing analyst ]) was murdered. (His body was found on ]). Butler was considered a ]; he had been friends with Kellerman for ten years.


== Killing of Sam Kellerman ==
On ], Butler, accompanied by a ], sought treatment for his alleged ].


On October 12, 2004, writer Sam Kellerman (brother of sports analyst ]) was killed at his apartment in ]. His body was not found until October 17. Butler was considered a ] since he had been friends with Kellerman for over 10 years.
Butler was arrested for the Kellerman slaying on October 27, and two days later, he plead not guilty to murder and ]. He was held on $1.25 million bail. Prosecutors claimed that Butler, the only suspect in the case, repeatedly struck Kellerman in the head with a hammer, then torched Kellerman's ] apartment in an attempted coverup.


On October 20, Butler, accompanied by a ], sought treatment for his alleged ].
On ], ], a ] judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence for Butler to stand trial on the charges of murder and arson.


Butler was arrested for the Kellerman murder on October 27. Two days later, he pleaded not guilty to murder and ]. He was held on $1.25 million bail. Prosecutors claimed that Butler, the only suspect in the case, repeatedly struck Kellerman in the head with a hammer, then torched Kellerman's ] apartment in an attempted ].
On ], ], ] pleaded guilty to ] and ] in the 2004 death of Kellerman. On April 5, Butler was sentenced to 29 years, four months in prison by Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, according to Deputy Public Defender Jack Keenan.


On July 8, 2005, a ] judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for Butler to stand trial on charges of murder and arson.
== See also ==


On March 27, 2006, Butler pleaded guilty to ] and ] in the 2004 death of Kellerman. On April 5, Butler was sentenced to 29 years and four months in prison by Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, according to Deputy Public Defender Jack Keenan.<ref name='espn_1'/>
*]


Prosecutors speculated Butler was having relationship issues with his girlfriend while also struggling to revive his boxing career when Kellerman asked Butler to move out. A disagreement ensued on how long Butler could stay when he picked up a hammer and killed Kellerman, then torched his house.<ref name='espn_2' />
== External links ==


== Professional boxing record ==
* {{boxrec|id=007923|name=James Butler}}

{{BoxingRecordSummary
|ko-wins=12
|dec-wins=8
|dec-losses=5
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
|-
|25
|{{no2}}Loss
|20–5
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
|{{abbr|SD|Split Decision}}
|10
|August 10, 2004
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–4
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Dan Sheehan
|UD
|6
|June 4, 2004
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–4
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Reggie Strickland
|UD
|6
|May 7, 2004
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Farm Bureau Building, ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|22
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–4
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Thomas Reid
|UD
|8
|February 27, 2004
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Key Skating Center, ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|21
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–3
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|JAM}} Richard Grant
|UD
|10
|November 23, 2001
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|20
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–2
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|GER}} ]
|UD
|12
|September 1, 2001
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|GER}} {{small|], ], Germany}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For ] super-middleweight title}}
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Jerry Williams
|UD
|8
|March 24, 2001
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|GER}} {{small|], ], Germany}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Jose Spearman
|TKO
|6 (12), {{small|0:59}}
|September 29, 2000
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained ] super middleweight title}}
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Arthur Allen
|TKO
|2 (12), {{small|2:03}}
|March 24, 2000
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained ] super middleweight title}}
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Bryant Brannon
|KO
|7 (12), {{small|0:55}}
|October 29, 1999
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Farm Bureau Building, ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For ] super middleweight title}}
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|DOM}} ]
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|1:02}}
|July 16, 1999
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Thomas James
|TKO
|2 (6)
|June 24, 1999
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Jose Hiram Torres
|TKO
|7 (10)
|May 15, 1999
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Calvin Moody
|KO
|1 (10)
|April 22, 1999
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|UZB}} Rufat Baku
|UD
|10
|October 9, 1998
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Hector Rosario
|TKO
|6 (8)
|September 11, 1998
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Tim Dendy
||{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|6
|March 24, 1998
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Knowledge Bey
|KO
|3 (4)
|January 24, 1998
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Malcolm Brooks
|PTS
|6
|October 10, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Louis March
|PTS
|4
|September 19, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Robert Muhammad
|KO
|6 (6)
|June 18, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Gerald Holmes
|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}
|1 (4)
|April 11, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|3
|{{no2}}Loss
|2–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|JAM}} Richard Grant
|PTS
|4
|January 31, 1997
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], ], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Derrick Whitley
|{{abbr|PTS|Points decision}}
|4
|November 2, 1996
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Johnson
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical Knockout}}
|1 (4)
|October 18, 1996
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|], U.S.}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Professional debut}}
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |last=Wong |first=Edward |title="BOXING; Boxer Barred and Charged For Sucker Punch After Loss" |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/27/sports/boxing-boxer-barred-and-charged-for-sucker-punch-after-loss.html |access-date=May 28, 2020 |newspaper=] |date=November 27, 2001}}</ref>
<ref name="nydn">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/sucker-no-longer-boxer-back-punch-led-jail-ban-article-1.630877|title=A sucker no longer boxer back after punch led to jail, ban |last=Smith |first=Tim |date=February 24, 2004 |work=]|publisher=]|access-date=March 8, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="espn_1">{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2386235 |title=Boxer pleads guilty to death of sportswriter Kellerman |date=March 27, 2006 |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=September 12, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="espn_2">{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2398718 |title=Boxer sentenced to nearly 30 years for killing |date=April 5, 2006 |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=March 8, 2017}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
* {{BoxRec|id=007923|name=James Butler}}
* *
*


{{DEFAULTSORT:Butler, James}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Butler, James}}
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Latest revision as of 05:37, 22 November 2024

American boxer and convicted felon
James Butler Jr.
Born (1972-12-18) December 18, 1972 (age 52)
Harlem, New York, U.S.
Other namesHarlem Hammer
Statistics
Weight(s)Super middleweight
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights25
Wins20
Wins by KO12
Losses5

James Butler Jr. (born December 18, 1972) is an American convicted murderer and former professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2004. He challenged once for the IBF super middleweight title in 2000, but he is best known for his infamous bout on November 23, 2001 against Richard Grant where he was arrested after the fight for assault. In 2004, Butler was arrested for the murder of Sam Kellerman and was sentenced to 29 years and four months in prison.

Biography

Butler started off his career by scoring 18 wins and only 1 loss in the super middleweight division. This led to a title fight against Sven Ottke who beat Butler by unanimous decision.

Butler's next bout earned him infamy. On November 23, 2001, Butler took on Richard Grant on a special edition of ESPN2's Friday Night Fights, which emanated from the Roseland Ballroom in New York City and was part of a charity event designed to raise money to help assist New York police and fire department personnel that survived the September 11 attacks. The two had met earlier in their careers, fighting in 1996 when they were first starting out as professionals, with Grant winning a four-round decision. The fight was scheduled for ten rounds and went the distances, with all three judges scoring the bout for Grant.

As the two men waited for the results, Butler asked for his gloves to be cut off. After Grant was announced the winner, Butler stood in his corner seeming unpleased by the decision. Grant then made his way over to Butler to congratulate him for his effort, but Butler sucker punched the unsuspecting Grant with a right hook that dropped him to the floor. Grant lay dazed on the ring mat and bleeding from the mouth while broadcasters Bob Papa and Teddy Atlas called out for Butler to be arrested on assault charges. Grant suffered a dislocated jaw and lacerated tongue from the unprotected bare knuckle punch, and Butler was eventually convicted of assaulting Grant and spent four months in Rikers Island.

After Butler's assault, he would not return to boxing for three years. Returning as a light heavyweight, he fought four times and lost twice. His last fight was on another ESPN card against former super middleweight contender Omar Sheika, which he lost by split decision on August 10, 2004.

Killing of Sam Kellerman

On October 12, 2004, writer Sam Kellerman (brother of sports analyst Max Kellerman) was killed at his apartment in Los Angeles. His body was not found until October 17. Butler was considered a suspect since he had been friends with Kellerman for over 10 years.

On October 20, Butler, accompanied by a lawyer, sought treatment for his alleged bipolar disorder.

Butler was arrested for the Kellerman murder on October 27. Two days later, he pleaded not guilty to murder and arson. He was held on $1.25 million bail. Prosecutors claimed that Butler, the only suspect in the case, repeatedly struck Kellerman in the head with a hammer, then torched Kellerman's Hollywood, California apartment in an attempted cover-up.

On July 8, 2005, a Los Angeles judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for Butler to stand trial on charges of murder and arson.

On March 27, 2006, Butler pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and arson in the 2004 death of Kellerman. On April 5, Butler was sentenced to 29 years and four months in prison by Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, according to Deputy Public Defender Jack Keenan.

Prosecutors speculated Butler was having relationship issues with his girlfriend while also struggling to revive his boxing career when Kellerman asked Butler to move out. A disagreement ensued on how long Butler could stay when he picked up a hammer and killed Kellerman, then torched his house.

Professional boxing record

25 fights 20 wins 5 losses
By knockout 12 0
By decision 8 5
25 Loss 20–5 United States Omar Sheika SD 10 August 10, 2004 United States Essex County College, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 20–4 United States Dan Sheehan UD 6 June 4, 2004 United States PromoWest Pavilion, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
23 Win 19–4 United States Reggie Strickland UD 6 May 7, 2004 United States Farm Bureau Building, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
22 Loss 18–4 United States Thomas Reid UD 8 February 27, 2004 United States Key Skating Center, Bronx, New York, U.S.
21 Loss 18–3 Jamaica Richard Grant UD 10 November 23, 2001 United States Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York, U.S.
20 Loss 18–2 Germany Sven Ottke UD 12 September 1, 2001 Germany Bördelandhalle, Magdeburg, Germany For IBF super-middleweight title
19 Win 18–1 United States Jerry Williams UD 8 March 24, 2001 Germany Bördelandhalle, Magdeburg, Germany
18 Win 17–1 United States Jose Spearman TKO 6 (12), 0:59 September 29, 2000 United States Station Casino, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Retained USBA super middleweight title
17 Win 16–1 United States Arthur Allen TKO 2 (12), 2:03 March 24, 2000 United States The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained USBA super middleweight title
16 Win 15–1 United States Bryant Brannon KO 7 (12), 0:55 October 29, 1999 United States Farm Bureau Building, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. For USBA super middleweight title
15 Win 14–1 Dominican Republic Merqui Sosa TKO 2 (10), 1:02 July 16, 1999 United States Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, U.S.
14 Win 13–1 United States Thomas James TKO 2 (6) June 24, 1999 United States Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
13 Win 12–1 United States Jose Hiram Torres TKO 7 (10) May 15, 1999 United States Leominster, Massachusetts, U.S.
12 Win 11–1 United States Calvin Moody KO 1 (10) April 22, 1999 United States Virginia, U.S.
11 Win 10–1 Uzbekistan Rufat Baku UD 10 October 9, 1998 United States Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, New York, U.S.
10 Win 9–1 United States Hector Rosario TKO 6 (8) September 11, 1998 United States Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, New York, U.S.
9 Win 8–1 United States Tim Dendy UD 6 March 24, 1998 United States Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
8 Win 7–1 United States Knowledge Bey KO 3 (4) January 24, 1998 United States Elks Lodge, Queens, New York, U.S.
7 Win 6–1 United States Malcolm Brooks PTS 6 October 10, 1997 United States Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, New York, U.S.
6 Win 5–1 United States Louis March PTS 4 September 19, 1997 United States Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, New York, U.S.
5 Win 4–1 United States Robert Muhammad KO 6 (6) June 18, 1997 United States Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, New York, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 United States Gerald Holmes KO 1 (4) April 11, 1997 United States Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, New York, U.S.
3 Loss 2–1 Jamaica Richard Grant PTS 4 January 31, 1997 United States Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, New York, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 United States Derrick Whitley PTS 4 November 2, 1996 United States Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 United States Eddie Johnson TKO 1 (4) October 18, 1996 United States Bronx, New York, U.S. Professional debut

References

  1. ^ Wong, Edward (November 27, 2001). ""BOXING; Boxer Barred and Charged For Sucker Punch After Loss"". The New York Times. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  2. Smith, Tim (February 24, 2004). "A sucker no longer boxer back after punch led to jail, ban". New York Daily News. Daily News L.P. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  3. "Boxer pleads guilty to death of sportswriter Kellerman". ESPN.com. ESPN Inc. March 27, 2006. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  4. "Boxer sentenced to nearly 30 years for killing". ESPN.com. ESPN Inc. April 5, 2006. Retrieved March 8, 2017.

External links

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