Tag: Bristol

AARON SUTTON

Post author By f/s
Post date June 26, 2019

When I took up boxing I found something I was really good at and enjoyed, so I gave my life to the sport and gave it everything I have.”

FIGHT SCENE CATCH UP WITH AARON SUTTON

Aaron Sutton, the Bristol born middleweight may not possess the absolute amateur experience in the sport, however has shown himself to be a naturally talented fighter with an unwavering will to win at all costs!

Despite not originally coming from a purely boxing background, Sutton has always been a fighting man with his early discipline being kickboxing. Sutton fought as a kickboxer in his youth, fighting in France and other venues all across the UK.

In an unprecedented turn of events, Sutton traded kickboxing for white collar boxing at the youthful age of 16 and was pitted against a far more experienced fighter in his first bout, only to dispatch him in the first round. Sutton continued to have an impressive spell in the white collar ranks winning 24 of 25 bouts over a three year period.

Since turning to boxing, Sutton has shown a desire to excel at the sport and has vowed to show it the utmost commitment.

“Winning means everything to me, it’s the only thing I am good at. I was never any good at school, never passed a test in my life. I always gave it my best I could never get to grips with it. When I took up boxing I found something I was really good at and enjoyed, so I gave my life to the sport and gave it everything I have.”

After impressing in the white collar ranks, Sutton caught the eye of Chris Sanigar. Under the guidance of Sanigar, Sutton bypassed the amateur scene and turned straight over to the pro ranks.

“I started training down at Empire sparring the pros, the manager Chris [Sanigar] asked if I would be interested in signing so I jumped at the chance”

The middleweight had his first pro bout at the age of 19, securing a points victory over now 9-2-1 Kieran Gething. Sutton has since gone on to secure a further eight victories, to extend his record to 9-0-0.

Thus far in his career Sutton has shown preference to a fan friendly front foot style that has a likening to one of his favourite boxers, Carl Froch.

“I like to watch people who always come forward and draw their opponents into a fight. This is how I try to fight when I’m in the ring. I used to love watching Carl Froch as he was never the best boxer, but he always came to fight and I loved his spirit.”

While most 21 year old prospects may struggle to deal with the occasion of a fight night, Sutton remains the calmest man in the building and says that he relishes the pressure of a fight night.

“I don’t really like getting pumped up as I am normally really relaxed before the fight. I love the pressure of fighting in front of my followers. I always pick old classic tunes to walk out too as these keep me relaxed. I walk out to ‘I Love You Baby’ by Frank Sinatra.”

At just 21 years old, Sutton remains in the early stages of his career but has made no bones about what his aims are in the sport.

“In 5 years time I want to be British, European and World Champion. I want it all, I want to make a name for myself. Keep following me and one day I will be on top”

Aaron Sutton has proved to be one of a rare naturally gifted fighters in the sport, and in his final words shares this message:

” Boxing has helped me by keeping me out of trouble and keeping me off the streets!. I have the utmost respect for anyone that has the courage to get in the ring and want to wish them all the best in every aspect of their life and career.”

“One day I believe I will be on top and the support means everything to me”

DANIEL BARTON

Post author By f/s
Post date June 17, 2019

“Myself and a couple others started going along to the training and when I sparred for the first time I loved it, and everything snowballed from there. Where some at a young age took a different path, I chose boxing.”

Boxing is a discipline that teaches its combatants to persevere through the most treacherous roads, whether that be inside or outside the ring. It’s a sport that will weed out the quitters in an instant and leave the spotlight for the fighters who are willing to go through anything to have their arm raised in victory. In some ways boxing is a cruel and ruthless sport, but in others it’s a test of one’s courage and strength that will one day bring them to the top of the world.

For Undefeated Super-Middleweight Daniel Barton (3-0-1), boxing has been a passion which has helped him through battles inside and outside the squared circle.

Barton made his debut back in April 2017 in his native Newport and won in emphatic fashion with a TKO victory. After a promising start to his professional campaign with three wins and one closely contested draw, Barton suffered a period of ill health with sepsis/pneumonia and was forced to put his career on hold.

“It’s been a long road to recovery for me but I’ve no doubt ill be back bigger and better. All I can say is thank you to every one of my fans who’ve shown support.”

During an incredibly difficult time for Barton he was able to reminisce to the time where it all began, and where his road to today started.

“When I’d walk back from school the older kids would go straight to Wilson’s Gym and spar with each other. There wasn’t a great deal of ability or intention to learn, they just used to go for the love of beating each other up.”

After getting the “bug” for the sport as a young boy, Barton would quickly realise his blind love for the sport could go much further than sparring his friends for bragging rights and began developing a skillset that has cast his crowd-pleasing style. He describes himself as a boxer-puncher, a blend between crafted technical ability and a no guts no glory mentality. Crediting his admiration for the great Sugar Ray Leonard for his stylistic conventions, it’s everything a fan of the sport could want from a fighter and Barton hopes it will only continue to pocket him the heart of the fans and the eyes of the nation.

“Boxing is my hobby. I don’t do it because I have to, I do it because I love it. I am and always will be competitive, I like to get stuck in and I’m always looking for the knockout. People should come and watch me fight because I’ve still got plenty of years left in me and all I can promise is explosive nights!”

It’s this love for the game, an unjust discipline to persevere through life’s curveballs that has brought the 29-year-old to where he is today. After a 10-month absence, Barton is finally fit to return to duty and resume his professional campaign after batting with illness. At just shy of 30 years old, Barton still has a promising career ahead in the prizefighting domain and looks forward to challenging for silverware in the near future and giving the spectators memorable nights of championship boxing.

“In five years’ time I want to be retired British Champion. I am a realist, I know I’m not the best but I’ll do whatever it takes to be the best. Everything I do in life is to win. As for my opponents, its only business. I have to win, I can’t lose.”

The undefeated Welshman’s resilience to overcome his foes inside and outside of the ring is perhaps the strongest indicator of the manner of his intentions in the sport moving forward. Paired with a style which can only bring excitement to his nights under the lights in which he will continue to dare to be great like his idol Sugar Ray, Daniel Barton will continue to chase a boyhood dream and become the future British Champion, and it’s pretty hard to doubt a man who simply “can’t lose”.

Daniel Barton has a message for his fans:

Thank you so much for the support everyone has shown me through out my career, I’ve got a few years left so please stick by me and all I can promise is explosive nights!

And would also like to thank his sponsors for the continued support:

Light Source Limited, Moorland & Mayfair Wealth Management, Premier Copier Solutions Limited, Howses Traditional Homes, Leeway Motor Company

JOSHUA JOHN

Post author By f/s
Post date June 5, 2019

“I was a very shy boy who hardly said a word before I started boxing. I was always disciplined but boxing took me to another level. Boxing has helped me both mentally and physically and spurred me through hard times.”

FIGHT SCENE CATCH UP WITH JOSHUA JOHN

In 2004, Pappy Jones opened a boxing gym in the heart of the industrial town of Port Talbot in South Wales. Cast amongst a canopy of steel-works and coal trails, Briton Ferry Boxing Club began its storied history.

The ambience of the newly renovated space caught the intrigue of a group of young boys who regularly played football in the nearby streets. After Jones had invited them to test their luck in the squared circle, some 20 odd boys turned up the next day eager to begin training.

Year by year however, they would diminish. Whilst some of the boys would last little more than a month, others would continue for years, but none of them would last longer than Joshua John.

Now, he boasts a Youth Commonwealth Bronze Medal, Two Welsh Championships, One British Championship and the claim of the final remaining boy whom embarked on the sport over a decade ago, and a current professional record of 2-0

Under the close guidance of Pappy, John has developed his craft over the course of 15 years and enjoyed a valuable amateur campaign in multiple championship bouts. Since their initial meeting in 2004, John and Pappy’s partnership has yielded impressive results and promises to conjure even more success in the professional ranks alongside newly appointed coach: Tony Borg.

“I’ve boxed in multiple national finals and championships in the amateurs with just shy of 100 bouts with 70 plus wins. I’ve definitely been in there with the best there is (as an amateur).”

The Featherweight prodigy’s prestigious amateur career has catalyzed his slick style that has been carefully crafted through years of practice at his childhood gym of Briton Ferry. Alongside Pappy, the two have worked extensively on technical execution, strength and conditioning, ring generalship and mental awareness over an incredible 15-year partnership. The quality of boxing in the Welsh amateur championships proved the perfect platform for John to exercise all of his knowledge and skills, and to his credit, has blossomed into an intelligent ring-technician with both the ability and will to make a success of the professional game.

“My jab is my greatest asset because it sets-up everything that follows it. People should come and watch me fight because it will always be entertaining. If you like watching people give others a boxing lesson then look no further than me.”

Although it can be easily mistaken that John’s sole ambition is to capture world championships at whatever cost, he credits his determination to several factors of his life in which he regards with utmost importance.

“My main motivation is my family and friends, and my coaches: Pappy and Tony (Borg) in how much they believe in me. Since I signed my professional contract they’ve all shown me such great support and I really must take my hat off to them all. I just want to continue making them all happy and that’s what truly motivates me. We’ve all been through some rubbish times in life but every time something happens in mine, it gives me that extra reason to make it to the top and become the best I can be.”

John took one step closer to realising his potential when he signed his professional contract, concluding a reputable amateur campaign in hopes of realising greater heights as a licensed prize-fighter. Since turning professional, John consulted in coach Tony Borg to help aid his transition from amateur to pro.

Tony Borg – “I’ve been working (with John) for some time now, getting him ready for the professionals, working closely on pacing and getting Josh to do what he does for six rounds instead of three. He trains alongside European medallists and champions daily. He’s doing very well, he’s well suited to the pro game. He’s a real asset to the gym”

Joshua John’s keen to follow in the footsteps of the many great amateurs such as Vasyl Lomachenko and Sugar Ray Leonard and transfer his skilled pedigree from one discipline to another. When Joshua John was asked a simple question of what he wants to achieve as a professional, his answer was even more simple: “I will do whatever it takes to become world champion” and speaks a thousand words of his unquestionable belief in his abilities and will to succeed.

Watch Joshua John HERE

Award Winning Indian Restaurant in South Wales

SANIGAR EVENTS: A PASSIONATE ETHIC FOR ALL THINGS BOXING

Post author By f/s
Post date May 24, 2019

“The most rewarding aspect of being a trainer/promoter is taking a boy from an early age and transforming them into a Champion. Whether that be world level or even domestic level, it is truly so rewarding to be able to do that with young fighters and guide them along the way.”

SANIGAR EVENTS: A PASSIONATE ETHIC FOR ALL THINGS BOXING

“Throwing in the towel” is an idiom that resides deep inside the history of boxing. It stands as a metaphor for accepting defeat, giving up or failing to conquer adversity, and since it’s initial use in the wake of the 20^th Century, it has become a common conundrum in the English language.

Fighters across the world will be very familiar with the phrase, but no-one will fully understand it more than former-boxer and now-promoter; Chris Sanigar.

Those who are familiar with his story will already know why there is no secret he was called “one of the bravest fighters in Britain”, but for those who don’t know about Chris and his son Jamie, their storied road to today speaks volumes of their unquestionable loyalty to the sport.

Chris Sanigar; the founder of Sanigar Events, first made his name in the sport of boxing back in 1978 as a professional prizefighter. After representing England in the amateurs and making the ABA Championship Finals, southpaw Sanigar embarked on the professional ranks, capturing the BBBofC Southern Light-Welterweight title before his eventual retirement in 1984. His career spanned six years, boxing in various countries like Italy, New Zealand, France and Zimbabwe, concluding a 31-fight resume with 18 wins (10 KO’s), 11 losses (5 KO’s) and two draws.

“I had so much guts, so much courage. All I wanted to do was fight, fight, fight, not box. I had the pleasure of being crowned Champion of London in my career, boxed in various countries along the road, and really had a good time” said Sanigar.

“I was a big party-goer in my early days. I drank lots of alcohol throughout my career and that really had an impact on me. Since my retirement and to this day, I’ve not drank a single drop of alcohol and I thank God that it has made such a change to my life. I do really feel if I didn’t have the alcohol in those days when I was boxing, I could’ve got a lot further.”

Even in his days as a modern gladiator however, Sanigar had always had the intentions of staying on after it was time to hang-up the gloves.

“Even when I was fighting, I knew I wanted to become a manager. After I retired, I was still spending day after day in various gym’s studying the great trainers and managers I had around me. I would pay attention to their little sayings and the way they acted, and I really was fortunate to be able to learn from the likes of George Francis and Micky Dove.”

In 1989, Sanigar consulted with the BBBoC and was granted a professional boxing license once again, this time as a manager and trainer. His reputation as an all-action fighter, knowledge of the sport and desire to pursue coaching paved way for the formation of Bristol Boxing Gym in the same year and has since became the pioneer for boxing in the South West of England.

“The decision to form my own gym originated from my relationship with George Francis, my former manager. I was always so close to George and that was what really gave me the idea to open my own gym and pursue managing, and thankfully that became a reality in 1989”

Bristol Boxing Gym was originally based in a St Pauls facility, whereby it’s storied 29-year history began. Chris and his son Jamie worked extensively with young prospects in the south of the UK and quickly forged a choreography that would promise future champions.

So far, the Sanigar Events team has produced nine champions including the likes of Lee Selby, Glenn Catley, Lee Haskins, Dean Francis, Adrian Stone and more. Over it’s near 30-year history, the Bristol Boxing Gym team has established an unrivaled coaching and managerial style that has developed into what it is today. It’s very easy to say that it’s reputation among the best gyms in the UK has been earned through sheer determination and unprecedented passion alone, but under Chris and Jamie Sanigar’s direction, it seems the only plausible explanation.

(Left to Right) Lee Haskins, Lee Selby

In 2000, Sanigar Events and Bristol Boxing Gym produced their very first World Champion in Glenn Catley, beating then WBC Super-Middleweight Champion Markus Beyer in his native Germany. It was the first time in history a Bristol-based fighter had won a World Championship.

“I had Glenn (Catley) since he was just 14. It was naturally the apex of my career. We then had Ross Hale and Dean Francis, who won the British and Commonwealth titles, then we brought Lee Haskins through who again we had from the early age of 14. We brought him through the amateur circuit, and now into British, Continental and European titles. It’s really been a roller-coaster ride.”

In 2007, Chris and Jamie formed the Community Sports Projects which offered local children professional standard coaching and facilities, giving local communities a pathway into the sport and a lesson into the art of discipline.

In January 2015, a £500,000 Community Asset Transfer moved the gym to a new lot in Easton and brought with it the inclusion of some of the best boxing facilities in the country. It now sports a professional standard 20ft boxing ring, a second 16ft ring, 22 punching-bag stations, sets of iron dumbbells and a multi-purpose fitness studio. After the gym’s reputation proceeded and the Community Sports Project excelled in the local community, Chris and Jamie registered Empire Fighting Chance in 2013 (co-founded by Martin Bisp), a charity-based organisation that gives support services to deprived local groups through counselling, mentoring, employability lessons, and on the side, a non-contact-based boxing experience.

Jamie Sanigar also became the youngest BBBoC Promoter in 2003, at just 23 years old. Whilst his father has a more personal relationship with the fighters on the team, son Jamie controls the multiple community organizations that Sanigar Events conduct and is largely responsible for the gym’s appeal to the local community.

Chris said: “As an ex-fighter, I’m able to empathize with my boxers. Jamie deals more with the legal and community aspects of the job, but I relate to the fighters on a personal level. I’ve been in their shoes, I’ve had the fights, I’ve been through it all with them. I think this what sets Sanigar Events apart from the rest and what makes our relationship with the fighters so special.”

“Having experienced professional fighting, I also understand how important the role of a promoter/manager is. Getting the rights fights at the right time for my lads is crucial, and it can be very challenging at times. These boys develop at different stages, so you’ve got to know them personally. Most of my boxers have reputable amateur pedigrees and I do feel that’s essential for them. It teaches them ring-generalship, discipline and gives them the experience needed in this sport.”

“I’m pleased to see that the health and safety has improved immensely in boxing. At times, I do feel that certain fighters are able to get away with infringements to the rule-set and potentially influence decisions in the wrong way, so maybe modern-day refereeing does need to adopt a stricter stance, like it was when I was boxing professionally. Other than that, I’m very happy with the current state of the sport. I love it.”

Chris’ and Jamie’s passion for the boxing business was proving to be the perfect recipe for success, over nearly three decades of work. In 2009 however, Chris Sanigar would meet his toughest opponent to date; cancer.

“I hadn’t had a day off through illness for about 20 years. At the time, I didn’t even know you could survive from cancer, all the people I had known who had suffered it had unfortunately died. I thought that was going to happen to me at first.”

Chris; being a devoted believer in God and a determined fighter in his own right, sought to battle his life-threating illness, just like his multiple battles in the squared-circle. Extraordinarily, his greatest victory came outside of the boxing ring, and instead within himself.

“I’m a big believer in God and I just thought to myself all of the way through that I was going to make it. I was against the odds just like my fighter Lee Haskins, who was such a big help. He boxed whilst I was having chemotherapy, and against the odds, he won. That really helped pull-me through, it was a really powerful thing.”

In 2010, just one year after he was diagnosed, Chris had beaten another foe in cancer and immediately returned to his home; boxing. Where it was easily an option to throw in the towel, whether that be from Chris, Jamie, Haskins, or anyone involved in the Sanigar Promotion and Bristol Boxing Gym, not a single person ever accepted defeat against the odds, and perhaps this echoes the purity of this team’s connection. To this day, Chris is still heavily involved with the boxing business and seems to want nothing less.

Sanigar Events still boasts multiple champions, including current Featherweight World-Champion Lee Selby, and hopes to continue to produce home-grown fighters and provide a platform for British prospects to transition into World Champions. Accompanied by the team at Bristol Boxing Gym, Sanigar Events operates with a passionate ethic for all things boxing, and is remarkably yet to see it’s best days as a promotional organisation.

It is clear to see why Sanigar Events has been in business for the past 25 years, promoting names such as Ricky Hatton, Frank Bruno, Joe Calzaghe and Prince Naseem Hamed. From Chris’ humble beginnings in small-town clubs around the country to the rackety-noise of the speed-ball in Bristol Boxing Gym, from Jamie’s BBBoC Promoter’s license at just 23 to his extensive work with Empire Fighting Chance, and from a young boy to a powerful champion, the future looks incredibly bright for such an extraordinary team, against ALL of the odds. If there’s one thing that Sanigar Events can promote, it’s to never throw in the towel.

SION YAXLEY

Post author By f/s
Post date February 26, 2019

“I’ve got an all-round skillset and power in both hands, but I know I have to be on the top of my game to win so I always prepare accordingly. My amateur days have taught me the best boxing technique is always the jab, it sets-up everything on the inside like hooks to the body, which I really like throwing. I sacrifice to be a winner and strive to prove people wrong.”

FIGHT SCENE CATCHES UP WITH SION YAXLEY

Welsh born Sion Yaxley hopes to follow in the footsteps of his native idol; Joe Calzaghe, as he embarks on a career in professional boxing after a turbulent amateur campaign.

The Super-Welterweight made his first walk to the ring as a licensed professional back in November 2018, outpointing his opponent (Kevin McCauley) in a convincing 40-36 unanimous verdict. His amateur career spanned over 45 fights, in which Yaxley captured a silver in the Tammer Cup, and won the Welsh Amateur Championships twice, coincidently at the same age and same weight as his storied idol Calzaghe.

Yaxley said: “I’ve watched Joe (Calzaghe) since I was a kid, I would stay up late and watch all of his fights. He is a true sporting hero of mine, and to win the Welsh Championships at the same weight and age as he did was a delight.”

Yaxley had his first experiences of the fight-game at aged 13, where he first walked into his amateur gym; Dyffryn ABC in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. Hoping to replicate the success of his inspiration, Yaxley quickly began competing in the amateur circuit, and realized his potential in the Welsh Championships. The prospect of representing Wales in the Commonwealth Games came tantalizingly close until Sion lost on points in a closely contested bout against Scotland’s Fraser Gorn in the 2016 GB semi-finals. Despite competing in the tournament with just 35 amateur fights to his name, Yaxley managed to contest with amateurs from across the UK with more than 100 plus bouts under their belt, and thus secured his reputation as a top Welsh prospect as a result.

“Looking back I was a little out my depth in that tournament, but I was so close to making the final and I managed to beat a German lad in the quarters who beat Pat McCormack. I was boxing lads who had 3 times the amount of experience I had at the time.”

Yaxley’s valiant dream of following the path of his idol still held up despite his amateur set-back, and was used as a gage to demonstrate his development in progressing so far in a tournament that was ultimately aimed for fighters with much more experience and ring-time.

“Boxing has really helped me with my self-confidence and self-discipline. Winning means everything for me as well as my coaches, fans and sponsors. There truly is no better feeling than having your arm raised at the end of a contest.”

Much like other amateur champions, Yaxley’s pedigree comes equipped with a heightened understanding of points-scoring. Like many seasoned amateur fighters such as Vasyl Lomachenko and Guillermo Rigondeaux, who both have a combined amateur record of 871-13, Yaxley’s skill-set poses a very strong threat to the professional ranks, particularly those with little experience as a high-level amateur.

Yaxley’s array of supporters from North Wales originally made the trip down to the South (Newport) for his initial pro-debut in October 2018 against Paul Cummings, but the bout was called off. Sion said: “I was gutted for my supporters who all travelled down to South Wales when my pro debut was called off. I really do appreciate all the support and I thank everyone who has been and will be a part of my journey.” Instead, Yaxley made his debut in November in Liverpool and outboxed his first professional opponent in a convincing first outing.

“He was very tough and knew a lot of tricks on the inside and moved his head very well, so I had to box him behind the jab and keep him under control”, but ultimately, Yaxley’s pedigree and technical quality proved too much for McCauely, who was beaten in every single round on each scorecard.

Yaxley since has been training with the likes of Amir Khan which provided invaluable experience in the build up to his next fight against Latvian Kristaps Zulgis. This proving an impressive, comfortable win, taking his record to 2-0.

After beating the durable Kevin McCauley in his first bow as a professional, Sion Yaxley (5-0) added another foe to his list of victims in another convincing display over Kristaps Zulgis back in July. Yaxley, or by his alias: “Yax” demonstrated an extensive toolset in his unanimous victory and showcased his ability to control fighters through intelligent ring-generalship.

“I thought that I boxed very well and had a controlled performance. I dictated the fight from the centre of the ring and put on an exciting fight.”

The 23-year-old Welshman, albeit very early on in his professional career appears to be developing into a serious British prospect and is still very eager to iron out any weaknesses that may have leaked during two convincing displays over capable opponents.

“There’s a lot of things I need to improve on moving forward as I’m still very new to the pro-game. Mainly, it’s about upping the tempo and going through the gears early on, I carry power in both hands and when I finally let them go I’m a very exciting fighter to watch.”

Under the watchful eye of his trainer Wesley Jones, the Colwyn Bay fighter looks to impress the masses in another step-up in his career. It’s something that the multiple amateur champion will be used to, fighting frequently against handy opposition, but its something which catalyzes development, in particular fighters as young as Yaxley.

I’m getting hard, world-class sparring in frequently at Dyffryn Boxing Club and competing with some top level fighters in preparation for my bout.”

Yaxley is keen to test his ability against the best in the Super-Welterweight division, much like his successes in major tournaments as an amateur.

Equipped with an extensive amateur pedigree, a broad skillset and the desire to develop every aspect of his game, the young prospect can only be heading toward greater opportunities and avenues in the sport which he first embarked on some 10 years ago. It may appear that Yaxley has little experience, but it’s taken him a decade of sacrifice to be in the position he is now, and if he can guarantee one thing it’ll be that he won’t take this opportunity lightly.

In his first 10 years of the sport, Yax has captured various amateur championships, successfully beaten two professional fighters, signed with various sponsors such as Club 147 and Atebol and developed a skill-set which is tested frequently against elite operators. It’s not for anyone to forecast what the next 10 years can possibly bring to the Welshman. One thing that can be guaranteed is excitement.

Over to you: Yax.

MORGAN JONES

Post author By f/s
Post date February 25, 2019

“I enjoy displaying my skill to the spectators, and I see boxing like painting a picture. When I’m on my A-game, which is every time I fight, the winning takes care of itself.”

FIGHT SCENE CATCHES UP WITH MORGAN JONES

Morgan Jones knows what he wants, knows how he wants to get there….and you better believe him when he tells you so convincingly.

Jones admits that he wasn’t born with this confident and exuberant persona, but it has manifested itself in his personality due to what boxing has given to him.

“It’s hard to put into words how much boxing has helped me,” he says. “What I can say is that it has made me the man I am today – I am hard working, strong, confident, everything a man is supposed to be. All thanks to this sport.”

Jones has had his fair share of crosses to bare with some truly heartbreaking situations in his life, but even when asked about the losses he has been through, his defiant attitude shines through. “Boxing helped me through the hard times,” Jones says. “It was a reason to get out of bed and stay motivated. Boxing kept (and keeps) me around good, positive people that want to see you be the best you can be.”

Confidence personified and the skillset to back it up, Jones points out his self-belief in his timing and his arsenal to get his hand raised at the final bell. He knows if he applies himself and fights his own fight, the wins will come……but he wants to put a show on whilst he does it. “I enjoy displaying my skill to the spectators,” he says. “I see boxing like painting a picture. When I’m on my A-game, which is every time I fight, the winning takes care of itself.”

There can be no debate over the list of qualities the Aberdare-based super middleweight possesses, but it was interesting to find out why people should be getting a ticket and going to watch “Team Chocolate” in action. “If you enjoy watching effortless boxing masterclasses, you should watch me fight.
“ If you enjoy watching super middleweights getting dropped or knocked out, you should watch me fight!”

With Jones highlighting he is the man to watch, it was intriguing to find out who has been influential to him. He mentions James Toney, and his fight against Vassiliy Jirov, which made him more and more smitten with the sport as well as influencing his commitment to composure and technique. “James Toney is one of my favourite fighters anyway” he says. “In this particular fight the odds were stacked against him when he faced an undefeated Olympic champion from Kazakhstan, with a huge KO% and a great fighter. Toney grinded out the win through slick boxing and staying calm under pressure.” Characteristics he plans on emulating.

Jones boasts a record of 13-2-0. The build up to fights have been good, and Jones is ecstatic with how things have gone!

“I’ve now teamed up with Mountain Ash Boxing Club, and the support I’ve had from Pebbles and Shane has been unbelievable. My work rate, aggression and confidence have gone through the roof. I’m really excited to show the boxing world a new Morgan Jones come fight night.”

“If I see ANY signs of weakness in my opponent…..he’ll be having an early night!”