James Butler Jr. (born December 18, 1972 in Harlem, New York) is an American murderer and former professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2004. He challenged once for the IBF super middleweight title in 2000. In his next bout on November 29, 2001, Butler famously sucker punched Richard Grant after losing and served four months at Rikers Island. In 2004, Butler was arrested for the murder of Sam Kellerman and was sentenced to 29 years and four months in prison.

Biography [ edit ]

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 at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan, New York. The bout was a charity event to benefit surviving New York firemen and police officers of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and was televised live on ESPN2. Butler faced Richard "The Alien" Grant, a fighter who had decisioned him early in his career. After losing the rematch by unanimous decision, Butler had his gloves removed before the announcement of the winner, Grant then went to Butler's side of the ring for an expected exchange of congratulations. Instead, Butler sucker punched Grant, nailing a bare-handed right hook to his jaw. Grant suffered a temporarily dislocated jaw and a lacerated tongue that required 26 stitches.[1] Butler was arrested and charged with 2nd degree assault. Butler was later convicted and served four months at Riker's Island detention facility.[2]

Butler's last bout was a split-decision loss on August 10, 2004 to Omar Sheika.

Murder of Sam Kellerman and conviction [ edit ]

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; 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 and slaying 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 that there was sufficient evidence for Butler to stand trial on the 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.[3]

The suspected motive for the murder was that Kellerman had asked Butler to move out of his apartment because he was ruining it. Butler, who was struggling to revive his career for boxing picked up a hammer and killed Kellerman and then torched his house.[4]

Professional boxing record [ edit ]

Professional record summary 25 fights 20 wins 5 losses By knockout 12 0 By decision 8 5