Troy Jones has travelled over 4,000 miles around the world to make sure that he’s ready for his ring return.
He’s back in action as part of BCB Promotions’ next offering at the Hangar Events Venue, in Wolverhampton, on Sunday night (November 13).
Jones has spent part of his training camp in Dubai and only returned to the UK on the Wednesday of fight week, after nearly nine months since his last outing.
It’s been all change for the 24-year-old, right down to moving home to Leicestershire, having been born in Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham and growing up in Tamworth.
The super middleweight prospect has also changed coaches, making the switch from John Costello to Lee Beard and his assistant trainer Johno Williams.
That means preparations mainly take place in Manchester, which pales in significance when considering his latest trip overseas.
Jones now resumes his efforts in adding to an unbeaten pro record, which stands at 3-0 with a six-rounder completed last time out.
That resulted in a points success over Pavol Garaj, where he came out on top with a two-round advantage, through a 58-56 scoreline.
That added to two four-round points whitewashes last year starting with his debut, against Daniel Borisov, before beating Christian Hoskin-Gomez, both by a 40-36 landslide margin.
Jones said: “I’ve been transitioning into having a new coach. I got talking to Lee (Beard) because he bought a pet from my dad (Andy Jones). He breeds XL Bully dogs.
“Lee is a top-class coach. With him in my corner and what he’s put into me, since we have been working together, I feel like I can box as well as fight now.
“My dad still does strength and conditioning with me, on Fridays and Saturdays. He’s 52 and has been in the gym since he was about 20, so he’s in wicked shape.
“Lee comes down here and I make the trip up to Manchester, twice a week, so that takes care of four days and then I’ve got my running and the extra bits with my dad.
“I’ve got a good routine and I know what I’m doing on set days, which helps with my job. I’m a salesman for an accountancy firm (BK Plus) and I’ve been there for a few years now.
“The company and my boss (Dave Baldwin) are very supportive and I’ve got a great work-life balance. I’ve moved house and got engaged (to fiance Demi), too, so it’s all going on!
“I want to showcase how much my skills have improved, you can never take the fighter out of me but you will see the difference on the night.
“I’ve already done a six-rounder and I wasn’t happy with the final score, although I have to admit that I got drawn into a scrap towards the end.
“I wouldn’t have given him (the opponent) any more than one round, but the referee gave him two. I’m learning every day and I’ve taken something from that experience.”
Tickets for the Hangar bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
