First time he ever knocked somebody out, Joeshon James was six.
“Yeah, my big brother,” grins the rangy Californian middleweight.
A fighter who, within days, will leave his downtown Sacramento gym for Los Angeles, then Sydney, and finally Newcastle — sorry, Tszyucastle — where he plans to go ruin Australia’s most exciting fight prospect.
And spectacularly, too.
Just like he did big brother.
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Which, coincidentally, is also where his boxing story starts.
Way back 20 years ago when this now exciting American prospect stood, gloved up, and with little chest still heaving, over the crumbled body of an older brother sprawled out on the kitchen floor.
“And first 15 seconds, my brother was really getting me,” continues the fighter who has never lost to anyone who isn’t a world champion.
Same as James has also sparred Canelo Alvarez, withstood a crazy double knockdown, and right now, he insists, is no more than one or two fights from a title shot.
But as for that afternoon two decades ago in the family kitchen?
“Ah, I was really getting it from my brother,” he recounts sheepishly. “Then — boom — I found a flying uppercut …”
Which goes some way to explaining why George Rose’s phone has been ringing hot this week.
With more than a couple of fight types wanting to know why Australia’s No.1 promoter, as part of his upcoming Tszyucastle showcase, isn’t only bringing this American puncher Down Under, but tossing him straight at No Limit’s Next Big Thing – Callum Peters.
Still only 23, and with just six pro wins on his resume, Peters – aka ‘50 Cal’ — still carries that boxing equivalent of a new car smell.
Yet only two weeks from now, and in a huge dice roll by the Rose boys, this 2024 Olympian will be catapulted into the co-main of Nikita Tszyu’s April 6 showdown … and against James.
Which is no small thing.
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Especially when learning how apart from icing his brother aged six, or sparring Alvarez as part of a world title camp, this American also remains undefeated against every opponent who hasn’t then won a gold strap.
In 13 appearances, James has only lost once, to Guatemala’s Lester Martinez — who currently holds the WBC interim super middleweight crown.
Which also goes some way to explaining why, when Sportsbet opened wagering on the Tszyucastle card this week, both James and ‘50 Cal’ were locked at $1.95; with only some early hometown money now seeing Peters wound in slightly.
Still, there is no doubting Australia’s most exciting fight prospect is about to be tested in ways not everyone is certain he’s ready for.
Indeed, speaking with Fox Sports Australia from his Sacramento gym this week – having paused an evening workout for our interview – James will stare down the barrel and, while somewhat understatedly, and after initially praising Peters, still promise to finish the Aussie.
Sure, the fighter admits to having known nothing about his impending rival when initially called out.
Same deal, the host city of Newcastle.
And when it comes to even naming the man headlining his upcoming card?
Well, when asked about what he knew of Australia, James replied: “I know you have the outback. I saw a series of Survivor was once filmed there”.
WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 05: Callum Peters reacts during the Middleweight bout between Callum Peters and Delio Anzageci Mouzinho at WIN Entertainment Centre on April 05, 2026 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
And as for Australian fighters?
“Ah, Tim Tszyu,” he says. “Tim Tszyu and Kostya Tszyu, that’s it.”
Asked if he had heard of Peters when first approached for the fight, our man continues: “No not at all. But we did a quick search, saw he was a tough opponent and thought he would be a good person to add to my resume. Another one for the collection.”
So your plan is to win this one by finish?
“Well, what’s the point travelling all the way down there to win a decision?” James continues, smiling.
“You know I’ve got to do something spectacular.
“I’m coming into his backyard so of course we can’t just go out there and look pretty.
“We know we’ve gotta do something spectacular. Make something happen.
“And once I’m there, it’s time to have fun.
“While I know Callum thinks he can come forward, I’m going to show him who can really come forward.”
The American’s trainer Dre Martinez agrees, stressing the visitors are convinced a highlight reel performance against Peters – who himself boasts six knockouts in as many fights – will fast-track them into a rematch of his only loss.
Martinez added the touring partner would boast no more than the fighter and three cornermen.
“Because we aren’t flying for pleasure,” he stressed, “we’re coming for business”.
Already, there has been plenty of talk in domestic fight circles about just how big a test James will be for Peters, who lives and trains out of Adelaide.
In the American’s most recent December win against Yojanler Martinez, both fighters were incredibly knocked down at the same time in the third round, although James clearly responded the better and would eventually take a majority decision.
“And if Shon wins this fight via spectacular knock out,” Martinez stressed, “we think he’ll be contesting for that world title within one, maybe two fights”.
The fighter agreed, adding of Peters: “I’m coming into his backyard to beat him in spectacular fashion.
“Make a statement and grow my name internationally.
“Then soon after that, I’ll go fight for a world title. My goal is to become mandatory again for Lester Martinez.”
Of his 10 wins, James has earned five by finish, although the best knockout story involves the first ever time he threw a punch.
“I was six and arguing with my older brother,” he recounts.
“I can’t even remember what about now, but we were 11 months apart, sharing the same room, so we were bound to get into a fight.
“And that’s how boxing started for me.
“After getting into our argument, my pops says to us, ‘OK, put some gloves on, let’s settle this …’.“
And guess what? They did.
“We went into the kitchen and went at it,” the fighter continues, smile widening at the memory.
“And first 15 seconds, he was getting me, too. I was really getting it from my brother when — boom — I found a flying uppercut.
“He fell flat on the ground. Was out. I started boxing from that point forward.”
Pushed on the decision to fly across the world for a fighter who is only six wins into his career, the more experienced American stresses the incentive isn’t simply financial.
“I definitely could have waited for another fight in the States,” he says.
“But look at Callum Peters, look at his record.
“The guy’s six-and-oh with six big knockouts. Why wouldn’t I take a fight against someone like that?
“He’s dangerous. And they’re the fights I like to take.
“Plus, I really believe boxing needs these types of great fights, the 50/50 fights.”
Elsewhere, Coach Martinez also heaps praise on Team Peters for taking the fight.
“We definitely won’t be saying anything against those guys,” he said. “Everyone has to start somewhere, and Callum has been doing the right things, building the right way.
“And now he wants to step up to that next level.
“He’s doing things the way we did. Which is taking on tough opponents to find out where you stand.
“But I’ll also say that no one has seen the best of Joeshon yet. Or certainly not how I’ve seen him in the gym.
“All his other fights so far, I still haven’t seen his truest potential.
“So right now, I’m really waiting for everyone else to see what I’ve already seen. And I know it’s coming out against Callum Peters.”