After seeing the Freitas vs Barrios fight I thought back to the time Barry Jones fought Freitas, what a gutsy display that was after only one fight for the best part of two years.
If Barry was still fighting, where in world or domestic terms do you think he will be. I remember Freitas saying to Barry after the fight that he would be the champion once the Brazilian had moved up to Lightweight (which amazingly still hasn't happend). I don't think he would have made it quite that far.
But still would he have beaten the likes of Gomez, Arthur and Lear. After all he did beat Djelti fairly convincingly on points (alot of qualitiy British opperators have failed comprehensively to do that). Would he have had do much skills for the current top rated domestic Superfeathers. I would say certainly Gomez, and probably Arthur and Lear - although I would have loved to have seen Jones face all three.
Incidently, does anybody know if there was more to his retirement than just having a guts full after Freitas. I know he suffered a few cracked ribs that night, but when he was commentating on the WABA's he seemed convinced he was coming back. Where there further complications with his scan? I remember so where around that time Warren tell sky there was a fighter who scan had gone worse and he wouldn't reveal his name.
We was one tough guy, and I miss him - his twitching legs and right hand used to crack me up.
Barry Jones
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DIRT SUGAR
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1200
- Joined: 29 Aug 2003, 11:48
Lovely bloke Barry and very funny guy.
I think something cropped up on another scan. I'm not positive but he was training with Jimmy McDonnell and training hard and due to fight and then just stopped. Last I heard he was managing a bar/club in Twickenham.
I've talked to him about the Freitas fight and he said that when he knocked him down in the first and looked at his face when he got up he wished he hadn't done it as he thought, "I'm in for it now!" He said Freitas was huge and just way too strong and hit like a welterweight.
I kind of remember him telling me that the prognosis to the problem that showed up on the scan meant he had more of a chance of suffering from being punch drunk and that he'd had a good career, won a world title and wasn't willing to take such a risk.
I wish Sky would make better use of him as I think he comes across well.
I think something cropped up on another scan. I'm not positive but he was training with Jimmy McDonnell and training hard and due to fight and then just stopped. Last I heard he was managing a bar/club in Twickenham.
I've talked to him about the Freitas fight and he said that when he knocked him down in the first and looked at his face when he got up he wished he hadn't done it as he thought, "I'm in for it now!" He said Freitas was huge and just way too strong and hit like a welterweight.
I kind of remember him telling me that the prognosis to the problem that showed up on the scan meant he had more of a chance of suffering from being punch drunk and that he'd had a good career, won a world title and wasn't willing to take such a risk.
I wish Sky would make better use of him as I think he comes across well.
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TerribleTerry
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 5272
- Joined: 29 Aug 2003, 12:30
Barry was feather fisted but a classy little fighter.
I remember the night he took on Freitas well and when Popo tried to steam roller him in the first he caught and dropped the huge Brazilian.
Seeing how Barry had professed to never having stopped anyone, amateur, pro or in sparring, I forcasted a gloomy future for the Brazilian superstar. Goes to show you what I know!!
I remember the night he took on Freitas well and when Popo tried to steam roller him in the first he caught and dropped the huge Brazilian.
Seeing how Barry had professed to never having stopped anyone, amateur, pro or in sparring, I forcasted a gloomy future for the Brazilian superstar. Goes to show you what I know!!
Absolutely echoes what I thought too! I even predicted Hamed would easily KO Freitas when he moved up. Doh!TerribleTerry wrote:Barry was feather fisted but a classy little fighter.
I remember the night he took on Freitas well and when Popo tried to steam roller him in the first he caught and dropped the huge Brazilian.
Seeing how Barry had professed to never having stopped anyone, amateur, pro or in sparring, I forcasted a gloomy future for the Brazilian superstar. Goes to show you what I know!!
Yeah I used to love the way when Paul Dempsey used to tackle him about his Brain scan, before he made his comeback, asking him why he was fighting the decision.
He always used to say stuff like 'I am the safest boxer your likely to meet, I avoiding getting hurt and I don't hurt anyone' Honest, but still funny.
I remember when he beat Palacio and jacked in his job on National TV I was think 'Don't say that Barry, you've got Lorcey in 90 days'
Its a pitty though that he didn't earn enough to retire completely and a shame it ended the way it did.
What an irony it was to see Robbie Reegan make an emotional fair well to the game and Barry be on top of the world, only a few months later Barry was going through the same problems.
Dirt, I knew he was running a bar (funny job for a tea-total) but I always thought it was in Cardiff. And your right Sky should use him more, in many ways Spencer Oliver was fortunate in that following his enforced retirement he landed a job - I think they should have done the same this former world champion.
Barry Jones and Spencer Oliver two exceptional boxers and both missed on the circuit.
What would have happened between Jones vs Gomez, Arthur, Lear - it all hypothetical but still it would be good to hear you views.
He always used to say stuff like 'I am the safest boxer your likely to meet, I avoiding getting hurt and I don't hurt anyone' Honest, but still funny.
I remember when he beat Palacio and jacked in his job on National TV I was think 'Don't say that Barry, you've got Lorcey in 90 days'
Its a pitty though that he didn't earn enough to retire completely and a shame it ended the way it did.
What an irony it was to see Robbie Reegan make an emotional fair well to the game and Barry be on top of the world, only a few months later Barry was going through the same problems.
Dirt, I knew he was running a bar (funny job for a tea-total) but I always thought it was in Cardiff. And your right Sky should use him more, in many ways Spencer Oliver was fortunate in that following his enforced retirement he landed a job - I think they should have done the same this former world champion.
Barry Jones and Spencer Oliver two exceptional boxers and both missed on the circuit.
What would have happened between Jones vs Gomez, Arthur, Lear - it all hypothetical but still it would be good to hear you views.
I remember at the the Cardiff Castle Calzaghe fight all the fans turned round to give a massive cheer and round of "Slaphead" gesturing for him - he loved it and was cracked up.
The thing I liked best about him was the wierd habit he had of almost throwing his left foot up and out every time he moved forward- its was like a nervous twitch and never failed to make me chuckle.
The thing I liked best about him was the wierd habit he had of almost throwing his left foot up and out every time he moved forward- its was like a nervous twitch and never failed to make me chuckle.
You've got to give Jones credit for the way he dropped Freitas though. I mean in the opposite corner we have a young champion with a genuine 100% KO record who seems to truly love dishing out punishment (wasn't Alexandrov hospitalised after surrendering the title?) and even worse he can actually box a bit too. Then you've got poor old Jones who, if my memory serves me correct only had 1 stoppage win in 20 fights - on a cut eye. So it's fair to say little Barry was at a slight disadvantage for his 2nd world title oppurtunity.
Does he run like the clappers at the sound of the first bell? Like f""k he does. Sure Freitas is the one applying the pressure but the second Jones sees his chance he goes for it BOOM! How dare he throw a left hook like that as though he's some kind of puncher?!
Okay it turned out to be his only real success in the fight but what an exciting moment that was. What a great pro.
Does he run like the clappers at the sound of the first bell? Like f""k he does. Sure Freitas is the one applying the pressure but the second Jones sees his chance he goes for it BOOM! How dare he throw a left hook like that as though he's some kind of puncher?!
Okay it turned out to be his only real success in the fight but what an exciting moment that was. What a great pro.