There aren’t many fighters who get the
opportunity to try their hand at both a career in professional boxing and mixed
martial arts, but Jamie Jones is aiming to make a seamless transition to the
pugilistic sport.
Jones featured in over 100 competitive
bouts across a variety of combat sports, and took the plunge to turn
professional in MMA under the Cage Warriors banner in February 2013. He quickly
backed up his moniker of ‘Boom Boom’ as he developed a reputation as a
crowd-pleasing, all-action fighter and held a record of (2-1-1).
However after reflecting on his career,
Jones decided that he would make a return to the combat sport he first sampled
as a 14-year-old, at Birtley ABC.
“I have kept myself
busy in other disciplines, but boxing was never far away. I continued with it
throughout my career in mixed martial arts and everybody would notice that my
boxing was at a very high level.
“I always knew my
passion was boxing. I’ve decided to be true to myself and just give myself
a chance. I owe it to myself
to be a professional boxer.”
Since joining Fighting
Chance, Jones has been welcomed by familiar faces. He worked under Gary Barr
and Ron Rowe at Birtley ABC and already knew stablemates Mark White, Craig
Dixon and Jon-Lewis Dickinson.
The middleweight
prospect did his research prior to signing, and soon realised that re-uniting
with Ron Rowe and Gary Barr was the right move for his career.
“I would not just go
professional with anybody, I had to do my homework first. But this is the right
team for me and that’s why I chose to come here. Fighting Chance have four
shows scheduled for this year, and I plan to feature on all four and build a
solid foundation.
“I
was thrown at the deep end when I arrived. I was chosen as one of Craig Dixon’s
chief sparring partners ahead of his British title eliminator. That sparring
was great and we brought each other on.”
The Gateshead-born fighter won British and
European accolades in the amateur and semi-professional mixed martial arts
scene, and with the help of hard work hopes to crossover his success to the
professional ranks of boxing.
Many would question if
turning professional at the age of 25 is too late to challenge for major
honours, but Jones believes the opportunity has come at the perfect time in his
career.
“It’s the perfect age for me to turn
professional. At this stage in my life I’m mature and have life experience
behind me. A lot of fighters turn professional when they are younger and as a
result burn themselves out.
“Professional
boxing is totally different to what I'm been used to, but I’m ready to make
that step-up. Now is my time to push on and hopefully by 2017 I’ve got titles
within my reach. I know what is involved to challenge at the highest level and
that’s what I intend to do.”
Jones’
hard work and dedication is clear for all to see in the gym, and he is excited
to reap the fruits of his labour on his professional debut, on March 26 at Gateshead Leisure Centre.
“I am in the gym every night and I am
happy with how everything has been going. I have the right mentality, and no matter what I’ll
push through and achieve my goals. “I’ve only been training
with Fighting Chance since December and I already feel so much better.
“On my professional debut I’ll be firing
on all cylinders. Everything
is falling into place. I’ve got a really supportive family and girlfriend. When
you get the right balance at home that is when you will go far. I know this is
my time to succeed.”
Fighting Chance Promotions host ‘Genesis’ – a night of professional
boxing show on March 26, at Gateshead Leisure Centre. The bill includes an
array of North East talent, including Jon-Lewis Dickinson, Glenn Foot, Josh
Leather, Jone TK and Mark White amongst others.
Tickets can
be purchased from any of the boxers on the bill or from www.fightingchancepromotions.co.uk
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