Kamari Burnside was 21 with just two years of boxing experience when Floyd Mayweather Jr. invited him to train.
With an exhibition bout approaching, the former five-division world champion was in need of sparring partners and through his mentor Otis Pimpleton, a longtime trainer and Mayweather associate, Burnside soon found himself sharing the ring with one of boxing’s all-time greats.
“He’s still a hell of a fighter,” Burnside told The Tennessean. “He still punches hard. He’s still sharp, even at his age; 49 years old. He trains all day. It definitely helped me out with my agility, defense, everything like that.”
As Burnside progressed along the amateur circuit, Mayweather kept watching. Two years after their first sparring session, Burnside was
signed to Mayweather Promotions.
And Nashville was the latest stop for the unbeaten Burnside.
Burnside helped Mayweather Promotions debut its partnership with Country Box and Jimmy Adams Promotions at Plaza Mariachi on Sept. 1, scoring a first-round technical knockout against Mike Fowler to improve to 7-0.
“There’s always a spotlight when they put Mayweather’s name under you,” Burnside said. “You know you got to put on a great show … That’s why every time I go out – even if I go the distance I want to put on a boxing clinic – but I try to get the knockout as early as possible.”
Burnside led the charge as Mayweather Promotions made its first step into the Southern market, utilizing Country Box’s growing platform to showcase its up-and-coming fighters. As Country Box returns on Oct. 6, two more Mayweather Promotions prospects are expected to feature in Abdullah Kedar (9-0, 6 KOs) and Dorian Khan Jr. (2-1, 2 KOs).
“As far as the fighters, their main priorities are stay busy, stay active, build up their record but also build up their visibility. So I think this is a great platform for them to be able to do it,” said Nicole Craig, VP of Marketing and Operations at Mayweather Promotions. “Kind of stepping outside of their comfort zone coming to the South.
“We do the East Coast a lot, we do the West Coast a lot, but we haven’t been to this part of the country. I think it’s a great opportunity to build and that’s what (the fighters) are looking to do at this level.”
In Country Box, Mayweather Promotions has found an ideal outlet to keep its fighters progressing toward the championship level. Adams has now put on 44 shows in the Nashville area since launching the series in 2023, and as exposure expands, so have opportunities for further growth.
“Jimmy doesn’t need any help as far as being a seasoned promoter, but we’re just here to offer our assistance on anything he needs help with,” Mayweather’s business partner Brent Johnson said. “Creating more opportunities, whether sponsorships or strategic partnerships, we just want to support it, watch it grow and help be a part of that process.”
Harrison Campbell covers boxing for The Tennessean and high school sports for The Daily Herald. Email him at hcampbell@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @hccamp.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Kamari Burnside victorious as Mayweather Promotions, Country Box debut in Nashville
