Tony Jones needs to box clever for next test
Telford's Tony Jones will continue to box smartly when he comes up against another of the 'road warriors' on Saturday night.
The light welterweight from Brookside is back in action on promoter Tommy Owens' bill in the Holte Suite at Aston Villa Football Club.
Jones' four opponents in the professional ranks so far have racked up over 400 bouts of paid experience between them in the ring.
And his next opponent, Ibrar Riyaz, will be one bout away from becoming a centurion after he's stepped through the ropes with the Shropshire slugger.
Riyaz has only ever been stopped three times in 98 outings, too, and presents another test which Jones will approach with caution, writes Craig Birch.
His one stoppage, a TKO over Dean Evans, demonstrated a hammer of a left hook that he's seldom had the chance to use since.
But 'Blaze' agrees it's all part of learning curve in what he expects to be his last four-rounder, before stepping up to competition over six.
He said: "I'm ready to rock'n'roll and get the ball rolling for 2016. I just want to box well, use my head and get behind the jab.
"He's a lot smaller than me, but he's stocky and tough. I've heard he's alright coming forward, but not so great on the backfoot.
"I'll be looking to hold and command the centre of the ring, then move and use angles to pick my shots. I have to be intelligent in there.
"If I end up getting a knockdown or even a stoppage, it's a bonus. That's how I've been approaching these fights.
"I've been boxing some experience journeymen and it's given me confidence in my skills. I feel like I've learned a lot."
Jones, who is managed by Kellie Maloney and trained by Brian Robb, will sit down with his team and discuss strategy for 2016 after this test.
He added: "I'm in no rush to do anything, we'll sit down and assess the progress we've made and make plans for the future.
"Kellie wants to bring me on in the old fashioned way, she wants to build me up slowly. She feels a lot of fighters are pushed on too soon and don't get the chance to develop."
Tickets are still available for the show. For more information, call promoter Tommy Owens on 07967 166 643.
