First Defeat For Jones in Great Contest

Birmingham’s Troy Jones lost his unbeaten record in an e great contest against another unbeaten fight in Ezra Taylor at the Nottingham arena which was being streamed live on DAZN. The contest was for the WBA light heavyweight gold title and was contested over ten rounds on the undercard of Cacase v Wood.  Twenty-six-year-old Jones came into the contest as the English Light-Heavyweight champ with a record of twelve without defeat, with Taylor (30) coming in with a record of eleven without defeat. Both fighters weighed in twelve stone five with Bob Williams reffing.

Both fighters started well getting some good shots off going to the head and body  with nice combinations, close round but Jones just edged this one. Jones continued to let his hands go in the second keeping up his high tempo landing shots to the head and body. Taylor stayed with Jones and had some joy at the end of the round but Jones hot this one.  Taylor started the third brighter looking to get into his Rhyme, Jones returned fire going to the head and body well another close round could not split them.

Taylor started to show his class in the fourth as he seemed to find his distance landing some nice crisp shots really putting it on Jones. Jones stayed with Taylor but Taylor won the round. Jones continued to press in the fifth landing good shots pushing Taylor back who was landing the better and more eye-catching shots, Taylor won the round. A back and fourth,  sixth round with both fighters landing good shots with Jones being warned for pushing off with his gloves, you had to give this round to Taylor with the eye-catching shots. Jones continued to push Taylor back landing some nice combinations as Taylor landing the cleaner shots, Taylor had hadn’t the end of the round but Jones edged this one.

The quality was coming from Taylor with Jones with his high work-rate, both fighters had their moments landing eye-catching combinations, could not split them. Jones continued to press in the ninth saying  close landing to the head and body, Taylor stayed close landing to the head and body, Taylor stayed with Jones landing some heavy shots just nick the round, Taylor looked to finish the final round strong landing some nice eye-catching shots as Jones walked through them to continue to press, great contest with Taylor finishing the stronger and winning the round.

Judges Luigi Boscarelli scored it 99 to 91 Taylor, judge Mikael Hook scored it 100 to 90 to Taylor and John Latham scoring it 97 to 93 Taylor. I had it 97 to 95 to Taylor

Ezra Taylor wins unanimous decision

Dexter’s Thoughts

I think the two of the judges’ score cards where a bit wide but judging is all irrespective but the right person won a very hard fought fight. Troy Jones started well and stood strong throughout the contest against an unbeaten opponent who was being backed by Queensberry promotions. Jones put on a great performance and shown that he should be on the big stage and can perform at this level. Jones may have of lost for the first time but I’m sure himself and his team learned a lot about the fight game and himself which will only elevate him to be a better fighter in the future. There have been many boxers that have progressed to British and European after defeats like Tyler Denny and Conah Walker so i have no doubt Jones will be back in the mix very soon. Jones is in my opinion In one of the hardest divisions in boxing at the moment  especially at a domestic level. Jones has the talent to come back and contest for at least British and European title in the next year or so and I look forward to seeing g him in the ring very soon.