as per ESPN Boxing....

LOS ANGELES -- A boxer who fights under the nickname "The Harlem Hammer" will stand trial on charges that he used a hammer to kill a sports writer and then torched his Hollywood apartment.

Judge Kevin Brown ruled Friday there was enough evidence to try James Butler Jr. on charges of murder and arson.

Sam Kellerman, 29, was found dead in his apartment on Oct. 17, 2004, and police said at the time he had been killed about five days earlier. Kellerman's car was missing and a hammer was found not far from his body, police said.

Kellerman, a freelance writer who covered pro boxing, was the younger brother of Max Kellerman, host of Fox Sports Net's boxing program "I, Max," authorities said. Butler and the sports writer were friends, and Butler had been staying at his apartment since late September.

The 32-year-old Butler has a record of 20-5. He is best known for sucker-punching opponent Richard Grant in November 2001 after losing a charity match.