Tony Jones wins the Best Fight accolade
Telford's Tony Jones can take another positive from drawing his last bout after the contest was named Best Fight of the Year.
Jones and debutant Irvin Magno could not be parted after they touched gloves on May 14 of this year,
The two clashed in the Holte Suite at Aston Villa Football Club, on one of promoter Tommy Owen's regular bills at the venue. Referee Terry O'Connor had it 38-38 at the finish.
Little did they know they would be selected as one of the choices at the annual British Boxing Board of Control's Midlands awards ceremony.
They got the nod over two other battles, the first a draw for the Midlands flyweight title between Usman Ahmed and Jamie Williams. They will do it again on Sunday.
The other took place live on Sky Sports, with Rowley Regis' Jason Welborn going down on points in a spirited WBC International super welterweight title fight against Matthew Macklin.
The awards bash took place at the Eaton Hotel in Birmingham on Saturday with Philippines-born Magno, who has lost twice on points since, not present.
It remains Jones' last outing and the nearest thing to a blemish on his recorded after six contests, which have yielded five wins with one TKO.
'Blaze' is looking to come back with a bang on November 4, the evening before Bonfire Night, with action on a card at the Venue in Dudley.
The 25-year-old super lightweight, who is managed by Kellie Maloney, is waiting to learn of his opponent for the PJ Promotions show.
For now, Jones can reveal in some glory, with him saying: "It's quite an achievement as, usually, title fights tend to win this award.
"I got a letter through the post inviting me to the event and there were a lot of good names from the boxing world on that piece of paper.
"I was overwhelmed and almost speechless when my name was called out. I'd like to dedicate the award to my grandmother, Violet Jones, as she passed away some months ago.
"We're a big boxing family, my dad Terry had nearly 100 amateur fights and my uncle Pete also boxed. Colin Jones, who had three world title fights, is my dad's cousin.
"I'm from Brookside and proud of it, but I've changed gyms. I'm at Eastside Boxing Club in Birmingham now and I've got Spencer McCracken as my new coach. Things are going well.
"I was gutted about my last result, it felt like a loss and I still beat myself up about it sometimes, even if it was a crowd pleaser.
"He was well up for it, he came out of the blocks like it was a world title fight to him. I let him have the first round, because I thought he'd burn himself out.
"I came back into it from the second and definitely won the last two rounds, so the fight ended up a draw. This award is great to have, but it was by no means my best performance."
Tickets to see Jones box in the Black Country for the first time as a pro, priced at £35 and £50 ringside, are available from him on 07903 538 008.
