When most fighters decide to hang up the gloves, they notice that it isn’t so easy to actually walk away. Jamel Herring just dealt with this very issue.

Following back-to-back losses at the hands of Shakur Stevenson and Jamaine Ortiz, Herring took off his gloves and placed them in the center of the ring. It was a symbolic move, but one we all know. After years of competing at the highest level, Herring believed that his time near the top of the 130-pound division, and in boxing for that matter, was over with.

That wouldn't last, however, as Herring’s itch to return became too great to ignore.

In his first fight in 18 months, Herring looked as smooth as ever, stopping Nicholas Molina in the first in New York City. Now, with some of the ring rust dissipating, Herring is hoping to lure Joe Cordina into the ring, the current IBF titlist. It isn’t a guarantee that Herring (24-4, 12 KOs) gets his wish. So if Cordina or any of the other champions decide to go in another direction, Herring reveals that he’s willing to take on a few lesser names.

“If I can’t get those big fights, I don’t have any issue having a stay busy fight,” Herring told BoxingScene.com.

At the age of 38, Herring isn’t fooling himself into believing that he has a ton of runway here. He knows that his time is on the limited side and would like to hit the accelerator button in terms of a shot at a world title.

Inertia has plagued the sport of boxing for years but as of late, fighters are entering the ring less and less. Herring is well aware of that pattern and the norm, but he has no interest in following it. Simply put, whoever is willing to dance, Herring is all for it.

“I wanna fight at least three times in the new year coming up.”