Dark Horse Jones Aiming High
Luke Jones is happy to be the 'dark horse' when he goes into the Midlands Boxing Series with the field for the tournament halved.
Jones is one of four men still in the running to become the Midlands super featherweight champion when the competition is done and dusted.
Chasetown’s Jones now takes on Paul Holt, a Brummie based in Nuneaton, after originally being paired with Summers.
Holt has held the belt they are all gunning for with a sixth round stoppage victory in 2016 over Tamworth’s Louis Fielding, who takes on Derby’s Indi Sangha in the other semi.
Southpaw Holt has as many losses as wins on his record but has done 10 rounds, with plenty of high-quality opposition over six wins (two TKOs) and six losses (three TKOs).
Jones has boxed six times in the paid ranks so far and has racked up four victories, one loss and a draw, all on points.
The 23-year-old performed well to outpoint capable campaigner Andy Harris in his last fight and bounced back from losing to Dean Evans.
The only other time he’s failed to win was against Northern Irishman Alec Bazza, when both clashed heads leading to cuts for both boxers that forced the contest to a technical draw.
Jones said: “I think people might be a bit misled when they look at my pro record. I’ve been through victory, defeat and bloodshed already early on in my career.
“It was a strange one between me and Bazza, we butted 30 seconds into the fight and that was the end of it. My cut was glued, he needed six stitches.
“It sounds strange, but it was already shaping up to be a war and I was ready for that. We’d both landed good shots.
“Evans was a naturally heavier man than me and that showed a bit, but I reckon I would have beaten him if it was over six rounds rather than four. He was gassing.
“Beating Harris was perhaps the best performance I’ve put in so far and I can feel myself getting technically better all of the time. I’ve always been a fit lad.
“I’m feeling good and I think the fans are in for a cracker between me and Holt. I’m a dark horse, but I don’t care what other people think. They probably don’t know anything about me.
“Every fight in this is 50-50, simply because of what’s on the line. Nobody will want the chance of a Midlands title to have passed them by. A motivated fighter is a dangerous one.
“Full respect to Paul, but he’s in my way and he’ll have to give it 100 per cent like I will to win. I’m fully focused on what I’ve got to do.”
Tickets are on sale now by contacting the boxers on Facebook or online at iboxingtickets.com. Alternatively, call the Walsall FC Box Office on 01922 651 414, extension 416. They are priced at £35 standard and £60 ringside, the latter option to include food. It will be £40 entry on the door on the night.
The Grosvenor Casino Walsall will sponsor the show and host the weigh in and after-show party (over 18s).