“I chose Eddie because he came to meet with me in Paris after my last fight in the Olympics and I understood how serious he was about my making a superstar and global star,” Jones explained about his choice. “I also want to stay busy, and I feel that Matchroom and Eddie Hearn is the perfect fit for that.”
“My goals in the professional game in 2025 is to stay active, and win. Long term, I would like to become world champion, be mentioned amongst the greats and fight the best of the best.”
“I am delighted to have won the race to sign Omari,” said Hearn. “Omari caught my eye when I saw him fight at the Olympics – the star potential was there for all to see, and I am honored that he has chosen Matchroom and DAZN to guide him in the pros. The medal in Paris was the culmination of an outstanding amateur career, and I have no doubt that he is going to transfer that success into a glittering career in the paid ranks.
“Omari has all the ingredients to become a household name in America; he has bags of skills, a great style, real work ethic, an infectious personality and the drive to help young people and his community. We’re excited to get the journey started and news will come tomorrow of that first step.”
Omari Jones Signs Promotional Deal with Matchroom Boxing
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Ruthless-RKO
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Ruthless-RKO
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mickey1975
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Re: Omari Jones Signs Promotional Deal with Matchroom Boxing
Eurostar direct won't have been too much hard work for Hearn.Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑21 Jan 2025, 16:34 “I chose Eddie because he came to meet with me in Paris after my last fight in the Olympics and I understood how serious he was about my making a superstar and global star,” Jones explained about his choice. “I also want to stay busy, and I feel that Matchroom and Eddie Hearn is the perfect fit for that.”
“My goals in the professional game in 2025 is to stay active, and win. Long term, I would like to become world champion, be mentioned amongst the greats and fight the best of the best.”
“I am delighted to have won the race to sign Omari,” said Hearn. “Omari caught my eye when I saw him fight at the Olympics – the star potential was there for all to see, and I am honored that he has chosen Matchroom and DAZN to guide him in the pros. The medal in Paris was the culmination of an outstanding amateur career, and I have no doubt that he is going to transfer that success into a glittering career in the paid ranks.
“Omari has all the ingredients to become a household name in America; he has bags of skills, a great style, real work ethic, an infectious personality and the drive to help young people and his community. We’re excited to get the journey started and news will come tomorrow of that first step.”
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
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- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
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Ruthless-RKO
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- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Omari Jones Signs Promotional Deal with Matchroom Boxing
CompuBox stats for his first bout.
Very busy.
What did we think of him?
Early days, but showing good signs
Very busy.
What did we think of him?
Early days, but showing good signs
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handsofstone
- Cruiserweight
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Re: Omari Jones Signs Promotional Deal with Matchroom Boxing
Jones looks the bollocks I must say
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margaret thatcher
- Featherweight
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Re: Omari Jones Signs Promotional Deal with Matchroom Boxing
looked good vs a guy there to be crushed, one to watch definitely
at a weight down yall should also check out the debut of world amateur champ and uzbek olympian ruslan abdullaev. looked pretty beastly, first to stop the opponent, who had been the distance 19 times and vs decent opposition
he is only still 22 so not like some of these east euro/central asian am dudes who go pro way too late
at a weight down yall should also check out the debut of world amateur champ and uzbek olympian ruslan abdullaev. looked pretty beastly, first to stop the opponent, who had been the distance 19 times and vs decent opposition
he is only still 22 so not like some of these east euro/central asian am dudes who go pro way too late
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Omari Jones Signs Promotional Deal with Matchroom Boxing
OMARI JONES HAPPY MOVING AT STEADY PACE, HOPES TO SETTLE IN AT WELTERWEIGHT
Omari Jones couldn't have drawn up a better start to his pro career.
Nearly six months in, Jones, a 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, has flashed the potential that makes him one of the sport's most promising prospects (3-0, 3 KOs). None of his three opponents took him past three rounds in scheduled six-rounders.
As the 22-year-old progresses, though, the level of competition will rise and he'll have to settle into a weight class instead of fighting at a catchweight. He has weighed 149.5 pounds for each of his bouts, which straddles the welterweight and junior middleweight limits.
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, he competed at junior middleweight, which has a limit of 156 for amateurs.
Jones hopes to start at 147 as a pro but can see himself going up to 168.
"I've been contemplating that a lot lately," Jones told The Ring. "I've been doing catchweights because a lot of the time the guys can't make 147, so it's either 152 or 150. I feel like if I want to go on a Hall of Fame run, and I want to [win in] multiple weight divisions when I settle down and it's time for a belt, I probably would have to start at 147, then 154, 160 and probably end off at 168 as I keep getting older."
In his last fight, Jones stopped Alfredo Rodolfo Blanco in three rounds on July 19 in Frisco, Texas, on the undercard of Bam Rodriguez-Phumelela Cafu.
As Blanco (24-15, 11 KOs) was lunging into range with winging shots, Jones dropped him with a counter left hook at the end of the second round. Sensing blood in the water, the Orlando native eventually got Blanco on the ropes and dropped him again with a left hook to the solar plexus in the next round. The 14-year veteran was unable to beat referee Hector Afu's 10-count.
"Right now, that's one of my favorite ones," Jones said of his stoppage victory over Blanco. "I was able to get more rounds and show my talent. I was able to show my power [with] a knockdown, and then a second knockdown with a body shot. When I look back at it, from what we did in the gym, it played out in the ring [and] what I was supposed to do."
The knockout of Blanco was Jones' second straight with a left hook to the body. In his previous fight, Jones stopped William Jackson in the first round on April 12 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Jones’ pro debut was a second-round stoppage of Alessio Mastronunzio on March 15 in his hometown of Orlando.
"I feel like I've grown and sit down on my punches a little bit more," Jones said. "In the amateurs, it was output, stay busy, and a sprint, three minutes, three rounds, and you got to get the job done within that short time frame.
"With the pros, I got a little bit more time to work with, and I feel like I'm able to show my talent in these fights."
How a top prospect is handled varies by the promoter and largely depends on fighter development, as well as their amateur background.
Jones, who is promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, has eased into the paid ranks steadily and, with his early success, is content staying on a similar schedule.
"I definitely would like a steady pace [and] a steady build up," he said. "I feel there's no rush for me to be at this stage at a certain time. There's no pressure with that. I'm just going to keep taking it fight by fight, keep entertaining and putting on great performances."
Omari Jones couldn't have drawn up a better start to his pro career.
Nearly six months in, Jones, a 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, has flashed the potential that makes him one of the sport's most promising prospects (3-0, 3 KOs). None of his three opponents took him past three rounds in scheduled six-rounders.
As the 22-year-old progresses, though, the level of competition will rise and he'll have to settle into a weight class instead of fighting at a catchweight. He has weighed 149.5 pounds for each of his bouts, which straddles the welterweight and junior middleweight limits.
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, he competed at junior middleweight, which has a limit of 156 for amateurs.
Jones hopes to start at 147 as a pro but can see himself going up to 168.
"I've been contemplating that a lot lately," Jones told The Ring. "I've been doing catchweights because a lot of the time the guys can't make 147, so it's either 152 or 150. I feel like if I want to go on a Hall of Fame run, and I want to [win in] multiple weight divisions when I settle down and it's time for a belt, I probably would have to start at 147, then 154, 160 and probably end off at 168 as I keep getting older."
In his last fight, Jones stopped Alfredo Rodolfo Blanco in three rounds on July 19 in Frisco, Texas, on the undercard of Bam Rodriguez-Phumelela Cafu.
As Blanco (24-15, 11 KOs) was lunging into range with winging shots, Jones dropped him with a counter left hook at the end of the second round. Sensing blood in the water, the Orlando native eventually got Blanco on the ropes and dropped him again with a left hook to the solar plexus in the next round. The 14-year veteran was unable to beat referee Hector Afu's 10-count.
"Right now, that's one of my favorite ones," Jones said of his stoppage victory over Blanco. "I was able to get more rounds and show my talent. I was able to show my power [with] a knockdown, and then a second knockdown with a body shot. When I look back at it, from what we did in the gym, it played out in the ring [and] what I was supposed to do."
The knockout of Blanco was Jones' second straight with a left hook to the body. In his previous fight, Jones stopped William Jackson in the first round on April 12 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Jones’ pro debut was a second-round stoppage of Alessio Mastronunzio on March 15 in his hometown of Orlando.
"I feel like I've grown and sit down on my punches a little bit more," Jones said. "In the amateurs, it was output, stay busy, and a sprint, three minutes, three rounds, and you got to get the job done within that short time frame.
"With the pros, I got a little bit more time to work with, and I feel like I'm able to show my talent in these fights."
How a top prospect is handled varies by the promoter and largely depends on fighter development, as well as their amateur background.
Jones, who is promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, has eased into the paid ranks steadily and, with his early success, is content staying on a similar schedule.
"I definitely would like a steady pace [and] a steady build up," he said. "I feel there's no rush for me to be at this stage at a certain time. There's no pressure with that. I'm just going to keep taking it fight by fight, keep entertaining and putting on great performances."
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
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Re: Omari Jones Signs Promotional Deal with Matchroom Boxing
Omari Jones Ready For Toughest Test In Hometown Fight With Durable Yusuph Metu
Omari Jones has lived up to the billing as one of boxing’s most promising prospects three fights into his young career.
The 22-year-old Jones’ next trek into the ring could prove to be his most difficult, though.
The 2024 Olympic bronze medalist will return to his hometown of Orlando to face Yusuph Metu in a six-round junior middleweight match Saturday night at Caribe Royale. In Metu, Jones believes he is up against the biggest challenge of his brief career.
“This is definitely the toughest test,” Jones told The Ring. “He’s 12-2, he hasn’t been stopped and he went the distance in 10-rounders with a lot of veterans and undefeated fighters. He gave them tough times, so I’m ready for the challenge.”
Jones’ fourth professional fight is part of the undercard of a 10-round heavyweight clash between Cuban southpaw Lenier Pero (12-0, 8 KOs) and England’s Jordan Thompson (15-1, 12 KOs). DAZN will stream the Pero-Thompson and Jones-Metu bouts as part of a show set to begin at 8 p.m. ET (midnight GMT).
Metu (12-2, 9 KOs), of Mwanza, Tanzania, is coming off a first-round knockout of Mainya Ramadhan (4-5-4, 0 KOs) on July 19. The two losses on Metu’s record came via unanimous decision in 10-round bouts to undefeated fighters in Anthony Velazquez (18-0-1, 15 KOs) on April 26 and Albert Khamkhoev (12-0, 5 KOs) in September 2024.
Metu, 32, began his career 10-0 with seven knockouts before going 2-2 in his last four fights.
Jones (3-0, 3 KOs) last stepped into the ring on the same day Metu last fought.
He dropped the awkward and much more experienced Alfredo Rodolfo Blanco (24-15, 11 KOs) twice and stopped him with a body shot in the third round. Jones has yet to fight beyond the third round as a pro.
Jones made his pro debut on March 15 at Caribe Royale, where he stopped Alessio Mastronunzio (14-6, 4 KOs) in the second round.
“I started training a week or so after my fight [against Blanco], so it’s been a long time coming,” Jones said. “I’m ready to get back in there, and there’s no better place to do it than in my hometown. I’m very excited. Sold a lot of tickets, so there are going to be a lot of people in support and it’s going to be a great show, I promise you.”
Omari Jones has lived up to the billing as one of boxing’s most promising prospects three fights into his young career.
The 22-year-old Jones’ next trek into the ring could prove to be his most difficult, though.
The 2024 Olympic bronze medalist will return to his hometown of Orlando to face Yusuph Metu in a six-round junior middleweight match Saturday night at Caribe Royale. In Metu, Jones believes he is up against the biggest challenge of his brief career.
“This is definitely the toughest test,” Jones told The Ring. “He’s 12-2, he hasn’t been stopped and he went the distance in 10-rounders with a lot of veterans and undefeated fighters. He gave them tough times, so I’m ready for the challenge.”
Jones’ fourth professional fight is part of the undercard of a 10-round heavyweight clash between Cuban southpaw Lenier Pero (12-0, 8 KOs) and England’s Jordan Thompson (15-1, 12 KOs). DAZN will stream the Pero-Thompson and Jones-Metu bouts as part of a show set to begin at 8 p.m. ET (midnight GMT).
Metu (12-2, 9 KOs), of Mwanza, Tanzania, is coming off a first-round knockout of Mainya Ramadhan (4-5-4, 0 KOs) on July 19. The two losses on Metu’s record came via unanimous decision in 10-round bouts to undefeated fighters in Anthony Velazquez (18-0-1, 15 KOs) on April 26 and Albert Khamkhoev (12-0, 5 KOs) in September 2024.
Metu, 32, began his career 10-0 with seven knockouts before going 2-2 in his last four fights.
Jones (3-0, 3 KOs) last stepped into the ring on the same day Metu last fought.
He dropped the awkward and much more experienced Alfredo Rodolfo Blanco (24-15, 11 KOs) twice and stopped him with a body shot in the third round. Jones has yet to fight beyond the third round as a pro.
Jones made his pro debut on March 15 at Caribe Royale, where he stopped Alessio Mastronunzio (14-6, 4 KOs) in the second round.
“I started training a week or so after my fight [against Blanco], so it’s been a long time coming,” Jones said. “I’m ready to get back in there, and there’s no better place to do it than in my hometown. I’m very excited. Sold a lot of tickets, so there are going to be a lot of people in support and it’s going to be a great show, I promise you.”
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Omari Jones Signs Promotional Deal with Matchroom Boxing
Omari Jones is going the distance to prepare for his latest bout
Omari Jones drove seven hours round-trip to find quality sparring work for his most recent training camp. He will know soon if it was worth it.
Jones will face Jerome Baxter in a six-round welterweight bout this coming Saturday at The Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.
Jones, 4-0 (4 KOs), might be best known for being the only member of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Boxing team to medal. (He won bronze.) In March, he turned professional with Matchroom Boxing, and in recent weeks the 23-year-old fighter from Orlando, Florida, would hit the road with some regularity to make the most of his latest opportunity.
“It was my way of testing myself,” Jones said. “I drove three hours to Miami with my dad and my coach. We pretty much travel to get rounds because we don’t get work in Orlando.”
It wasn’t a vacation. Jones sparred WBA junior middleweight titleholder Abass Baraou (who is scheduled to fight WBO junior middleweight titleholder Xander Zayas on January 31), then aim to be back at his own gym a day later.
“We’d turn right back around,” Jones said. “We’d do our whole workout there in Miami.”
Jones has gone only nine rounds as a pro. So far, no opponent has made it past the third round with him. He doesn’t think about his early knockout streak or going into the later rounds. In November, Jones needed just three rounds to knock out Yusuph Metu, who had never been stopped in his career.
“If it goes the distance, the rounds don’t scare me,” Jones said. “I am always taking the opportunity to end the fight early.”
Baxter, a 31-year-old from Pittsburgh, most recently fought in September, winning a six-round unanimous decision over Nelson Morales. At 7-0 (3 KOs), Baxter has exuded confidence in the lead-up to Saturday’s fight. Jones even alluded to some pre-fight chatter on social media between the two sides.
“I want to take an undefeated fighter's record and show them that there are levels to boxing,” Jones said. “I am on a different level, and I am ready to show that.”
Jones believes his standout amateur career and sparring sessions with a current titleholder suggest what the future holds for him.
“This will be my last six-rounder, then I am moving on to eight-rounders,” Jones said. “Each time out, we are stepping up the fights, and my team believes in me and my talent. Matchroom does as well.”
Omari Jones drove seven hours round-trip to find quality sparring work for his most recent training camp. He will know soon if it was worth it.
Jones will face Jerome Baxter in a six-round welterweight bout this coming Saturday at The Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.
Jones, 4-0 (4 KOs), might be best known for being the only member of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Boxing team to medal. (He won bronze.) In March, he turned professional with Matchroom Boxing, and in recent weeks the 23-year-old fighter from Orlando, Florida, would hit the road with some regularity to make the most of his latest opportunity.
“It was my way of testing myself,” Jones said. “I drove three hours to Miami with my dad and my coach. We pretty much travel to get rounds because we don’t get work in Orlando.”
It wasn’t a vacation. Jones sparred WBA junior middleweight titleholder Abass Baraou (who is scheduled to fight WBO junior middleweight titleholder Xander Zayas on January 31), then aim to be back at his own gym a day later.
“We’d turn right back around,” Jones said. “We’d do our whole workout there in Miami.”
Jones has gone only nine rounds as a pro. So far, no opponent has made it past the third round with him. He doesn’t think about his early knockout streak or going into the later rounds. In November, Jones needed just three rounds to knock out Yusuph Metu, who had never been stopped in his career.
“If it goes the distance, the rounds don’t scare me,” Jones said. “I am always taking the opportunity to end the fight early.”
Baxter, a 31-year-old from Pittsburgh, most recently fought in September, winning a six-round unanimous decision over Nelson Morales. At 7-0 (3 KOs), Baxter has exuded confidence in the lead-up to Saturday’s fight. Jones even alluded to some pre-fight chatter on social media between the two sides.
“I want to take an undefeated fighter's record and show them that there are levels to boxing,” Jones said. “I am on a different level, and I am ready to show that.”
Jones believes his standout amateur career and sparring sessions with a current titleholder suggest what the future holds for him.
“This will be my last six-rounder, then I am moving on to eight-rounders,” Jones said. “Each time out, we are stepping up the fights, and my team believes in me and my talent. Matchroom does as well.”
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Ruthless-RKO
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