After getting his love back for the sport, Troy Jones is looking to make up for lost time in the pro ranks.
The popular Brummie turns over this weekend on BCB Promotions’ doubleheader of boxing at the H Suite, Edgbaston. Jones features on the Saturday alongside stablemates Ryan Kelly and Brandon Jones, his cousin, after being granted his License.
Jones will step back in the squared circle as a professional after a stop-start amateur career. Boxing from the age of 7, Jones enjoyed his time in the amateur ranks but found the usual distractions as he moved into his teenage years before leaving the sport altogether. He returned at the age of 19 and now, with the desire rekindled and a steady life outside the ring, is focused and ready to kick on.
“I boxed as a youngster and funnily enough, actually lost my first 6 bouts between the age of 12 and 14 due to lack of training,” he explained. “I was more interested in seeing friends and doing what young teenagers do, I then knuckled down for my last fight around 15 and won comfortably but decided I would rather spend time with my mates and knocked boxing on the head.
“I returned when I felt the time was right at 19. I had a positive looking work career and my outside life was running smooth so decided it was the right time to come back to it.
“I had 15 fights and won 11 of them, only losing in the championships and also to the winners of the tournaments.”
Jones is also back under the watchful eye of his first boxing coach; John Costello.
It’s a match made in heaven and, working alongside his cousin Brandon – who also turns pro on the same show – Jones is happy to be back with Costello and back in the gym.
“Me and John have a fantastic relationship,” he added. “John is actually where I started boxing, my dad took me to John when I was around 7 years old and was there until around 11 before John left the amateur game.
“He is a font of knowledge and really understands the fight game inside and out. He has stripped me back to basics, implemented things that suit my boxing style and we have built it up from there.
“I learn every day and continue to do so soaking up everything. Brandon has also turned professional and I am very excited to see his career progress, he is a fantastic ‘thinking’ fighter and as family we have been really close from a young age. We have a wicked relationship.”
Both Jones’ have penned management contracts with BCB Promotions and Troy is looking forward to the future as he plans to plot his course in the paid ranks.
“I am very happy to be working with BCB, the team is full of great people who are very committed to their fighters which reflects in the strong table they have.
“As a fighter I focus on myself and working to my strengths, there are a number of BCB fighters who are great and will be a massive help to my career moving forward; Zach Parker and Lennox Clarke at super middle who are doing great things for Midlands Boxing.
“I am a real fan of Liam Davies he has a great boxing brain and style I see him doing big things. There are numerous BCB fighters who I can learn from so I can confident I am in the right place.
“I will have done around 250 tickets for the debut and cannot wait for the atmosphere and support they will bring.
“I am not in boxing to take part and look at maybe reaching Area or English level. I do things in life to be the best and go as far as I can. With my coaching team and stablemates I’m looking to go all the way.”
Tickets for the Birmingham bills are available now, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet per day, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
