Jones Confident Of Hat-Trick
Connor Jones reckons he’ll go for his hat-trick with no more ring rust as he prepares to make it a trilogy of pro contests this on Saturday evening as he fights for a third time.
The 22-year-old turned over on June 9, at Willenhall Baths, and impressed with a whitewash points victory over former English title challenger Liam Richards.
Brierley Hill’s Jones than boxed at the Venue in Dudley on July 7, defeating Kristian Laight by shut-out over the distance. On Saturday, he appears on BCB Promotions’ ‘Things That Go Bump In The Night’ at Walsall Town Hall.
The Lions Boxing Club graduate trains at the RB Boxfit gym in Bilston, Wolverhampton, under the tutelage of coaches Richard Ghent and Robert Wright, both ex-pros.
Jones has headed to the capital in his preparations for this one joining Ghent and stable-mates Josh Miller, Danny Ball and Ricky Summers for a session at Punch London.
It follows on from the grounding he received from Team GB guru Bob Dillon, as he came through the ranks at Lions in Dudley.
He bagged ABA All-England honours in 2013 and was a part of the GB junior squad, also boxing for England in the unpaid ranks.
Jones endured a two-year gap from competitive action before turning over and admits it’s taken some time for him to get back to his best.
He said: “I was always going to box in October, so this is ideal for me. I wanted four wins from my first year as a pro and, considering I didn’t start until June, I’m on course for that.
“I’m feeling fitter than I have done for any of them this time, I’ve got all of the ring rust off and I’m getting sharper and stronger.
“I was one of the last people to box Laight, he’s retired since and good luck to him. He was an awkward opponent, there’s no doubt about that!
“I like whoever I’m in the ring with to come and have a go, but I understand I’ve got to go through the journeymen to get to the proper contests.
“I perform at my best when I’m relaxed, so I’ll be staying calm in there on October 27, but if someone comes to fight, they’ll get that from me.
“I’ve been down to London for sparring and that’s been the most competitive stuff for me so far, outside of our own gym. The big tests as a pro are still to come for me yet.
“There were some serious spars and I more than held my own, so that bodes well for the future when I get more experience. I enjoyed being there.
“I’m good at adapting to my opponents, but I need someone to engage with me to show that. As time goes on, you’ll see it more and more.”
English Bantamweight Champion, Kyle Williams, from Wolverhampton, returns elsewhere on the card for the first time since claiming the national strap on June 9.
Fellow Dudley fighter and stablemate, Danny Ball, Tividale’s Ryan ‘Stewart’ Davies and Burntwood middleweight, Troi Coleman in action as Central Area Heavyweight King, Kash Ali, completes the card.
Tickets, priced at £35 standard and £65 VIP ringside, are on sale now from the Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900. It will be £40 for entry on the door.
The Grosvenor Casino Walsall, on Bentley Mill Way, are the show’s headline sponsors. They will host the after-show party (over 18’s).
Image (c) Manjit Narotra/MSN Images
