Birmingham’s Troy Jones Defended his light Heavyweight English title live on DAZN at the Resorts World Birmingham (30,11,24). The unbeaten twenty-six-year-old sold over six hundred tickets for this Matchroom Showdown against a very game opponent in Michael Stephenson (31) from Northampton. The contest was over ten, three-minute rounds for Troy’s Light-Heavyweight English title. Both fighters weighed in twelve stone five with ‘A’ Star referee Mark Lyson reffing the contest.
Jones used his jab well in the first round keeping Stephenson at range and smothering Stephenson's work when he got in on the inside. Stephenson held the centre of the ring and pushed Jones back with Jones winning the round. Jones continued to use his jab to control the fight landing some heavy backhands to the head and body. Stephenson landed some nice left hooks but Jones controlled the pace and the round. Stephenson continued to press in the third but Jones was moving well using his jab and landed some nice combinations to the head and body. Jones stayed on the back foot boxing well landing nice jabs and combinations, Stephenson pressed forward and landed some nice shots but Jones won the round with the cleaner shots. Everything came off the jab in the fifth for Jones who worked Stephenson's body well but had to stop as his gum shield fell out. Stephenson landed a nice left hook as Jones was warned several times for pushing off with his shoulder having a point taken off him, Stephenson ended the round strongly to just nick it.
Great combinations by Jones as he picked his shots well in the sixth landing some cracking combinations on the back foot as Stephenson had no real answer for the champ’s dominants. Jones started the seventh round well landing great combinations and couldn’t seem to miss, Stephenson landed some nice shots in return but Jones continued to land long one, twos winning the round. Stephenson started the eighth round well landing some nice shots, and Jones came back with some nice shots of his own. There was a lot of holding by both fighters with Jones nicking it finishing it strong. Jones looked relaxed and in control in the ninth as he landed some nice ones-twos and combinations as Stephenson looked to get on the inside. Stephenson was showing loads of heart but Jones was dominating the contest. Jones boxed well on the back foot in the final round picking a nice one, twos going to the head and body well as Stephenson looked to leave it all in the ring landing some nice shots to the head and body. Both fighters threw punches to the final bell in a cracking contest.
Judge Victor Loughlin scored the contest 97 to 93 Jones, Lee Every and Kevin Parker had it 98 to 91 Jones. I had it 98 to 91 Jones.
Troy Jones wins unanimous decision
Dexter’s Thoughts
What a way to introduce yourself to the masse on a worldwide scale, Troy Jones showed his quality his toughness and a great game plan to dominant on his first Matchroom promotions show. Jones brought over six hundred fans to cheer him on as he defended his English Light-Heavyweight against a very game and tough opponent in Michael Stephenson. This was a great fight and was kept competitive by Stephenson who never took a step back, this made Jones showcase his skills on a big stage. Now that Jones has been introduced to the world, I hope he now looks at getting a crack and moving on to bigger titles like the British, Commonwealth or a European. It maybe a big step up but I think Jones has the potential to claim one or even all of the. The Light Heavyweight division is one of the hottest around at the moment and in the Midlands, we have some great light Heavyweight like former British champ Shakan Pitters and Olympic Silver medallist Ben Whittaker. A massive congratulations to Troy and I look forward to see him again in the ring very soon.
Comments