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Keith Jones 108 and out.
Posted: 13 Aug 2005, 19:17
by Owain
Staff Reporter, South Wales Echo
One of the most popular figures on the British boxing scene has called it a day.
Former Welsh welterweight champion Keith Jones, nearing 37 and with more than a century of fights behind him, has hung up those busy gloves for the final time.
The arrival of little Libby, now 16 weeks old, to join sons Joshua and Jacob, means Jones wants to spend more time with them and his biggest supporter, wife Louise.
'When my daughter was born I realised I'd missed out on a lot with the other two,' said Cefn Hengoed-based Jones. 'Boxing takes so much time out of your life.
'On my day off this week I went up the park and played cricket with the boys and it was great. If I was still boxing, I'd probably have been out running instead.'
Factory worker Jones, a pro since 1994, has met dozens of champions over the years, losing to most, although frequently having good reason to question the decisions against him.
'I beat Steve Murray on a Mike Tyson show,' he insists. 'And I beat Leo O'Reilly, but didn't get the verdict.
'Sometimes I look back and wonder 'if only...', but if I'd started winning I wouldn't have reached 108 fights.'
Valued as a man who would take on all the rising stars, put up a good show and teach them a few things without posing too serious a threat to those unbeaten records, Jones was a promoter's dream.
And, unlike some 'opponents', he never simply hid behind a tight defence, boring everyone to death before picking up his pay-packet and heading back down the motorway.
'It was like being a world champion, everywhere I went they knew my name,' he recalls with pride.
'And it wasn't a case of 'Oh, no, here's that Keith Jones again', because they knew they'd see a good fight.'
The undoubted highlight came when Jones claimed that coveted Welsh title, stopping hot favourite Ross McCord before his own fans in Swansea in 2002.
It was just reward for an outstanding pro and all-round nice guy.
Not that there isn't one small note of regret as he signs off.
'I'd have liked to face that Amir Khan,' he says, wistfully.
It's guys like Keith Jones who make the sport. Not everyone can be a champion but they (champions) have to overcome the likes of Keith Jones to set them on their way and gain valuable experience in doing so. A true pro.
He may have been in it for the extra money but he certainly loved the sport. I wish him well in his retirement.
Posted: 13 Aug 2005, 20:23
by Manos de Oro
Well done to him. Very good career he had.
Some of those who like to band about the term 'bums' for guys with journeyman records like Keith's, should try and get hold of that feature Sky done on him before the... Bradley Pryce fight?
As can be seen in that footage: he has a happy family life and speaks clearly. Probably stays in a more luxurious house than most of those who sneer at him, which is amusing. Not to forget he has been to more places and had more TV time than they will ever have.
There are also plenty of ex-'world' champions around who are living a scrub's life and slur, etc.
Funny old business.
Posted: 14 Aug 2005, 06:46
by stujones
Here Here, a journeyman who always tried to win. I wish more journeymen had Jones' mentality.
Good luck in the future.
Posted: 14 Aug 2005, 07:29
by steve689
Yes good luck to Jones, Boxing would cease to function if it wasn't for guys like him...well done Keith
Posted: 14 Aug 2005, 18:19
by E
steve689 wrote:Yes good luck to Jones, Boxing would cease to function if it wasn't for guys like him...well done Keith
Yeah, these guys keep boxing alive. And are probably tougher than most world champions, as they constantly go up against guys that have way better skills, and don't back down......
Posted: 15 Aug 2005, 07:20
by THEBUTCH
Keith was a truly solid journeyman. Far, far better than his record suggests. Just look at the names on his record and also look how many rounds racked up in the process.
One of my favourites, boxing will miss him.
Best wishes.
Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 08:40
by J
yip seen Keith live a few times, think the last time was a close fought masters bout agianst Chas symonds.
Well done Keith thanks for the ejoyment and wish you and your wife all the best with your little ones.
Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 09:23
by THEBUTCH
Yeah, I read Keith put in a great effort against Symmonds. 10 X 3 minutes rounds too.
Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 09:28
by J
Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 10:30
by kevin
Not a bad writer that lad, wonder what happened to him
Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 10:35
by jamesmcdonnell
Turned into a destitute, very sad.
Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 10:39
by J
hahah thanks chaps.
ill be back i just dont have time. nor am i overtly inspired by it all at present. the cricket does that instead.
Moving boxing from a fri or sat in the capital has fucked it for me, i cant afford to get in at 3 am on a monday morning, i just cant do it.
i have more time in the day than i do in my private life. Im juggling women at present, which isnt dissimilar to dwarf throwing, Im hoping ai can join a circus if i get good enough.
thata bout to change though, bloody new job is due to kick in very shortly.
Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 10:41
by kevin
We'll have to meet up for a beer soon. I know it's only a couple of weeks to the cricket but...
Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 10:46
by J
i can fit you in between 2.30 and 3.10 next friday.
no drama im out with that little irish lass you met tommorow night.
to be honest mate i dont know when, maybe bank hol week? tho im opnly about friaday night.
its mental at present. ive been sick as fornicate as well past few days. ibiza flu i reckon in london.
too much going out.
Posted: 16 Aug 2005, 10:48
by kevin
I'll e-mail you