American boxing has been littered with talent since the inception of the sweet science and one of the most highly rated of them all was four weight world champion Roy Jones Jr (66-10, 47KO).
Jones Jr is regarded as one of the best pound for pound fighters of all time and had a career filled with accolades, from amateur achievements including a silver medal at the 1998 Olympic Games to holding the undisputed light-heavyweight title between 1999 and 2002.
Following in those footsteps of the Florida native would be no mean feat but thats exactly what 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Omari Jones aims to do as he begins his professional career this weekend taking on Italian Alessio Mastronunzio (14-5, 4KO).
“I’m a boxer puncher, hit and don’t get hit. I feel like I’m a mixture of a couple of fighters that people enjoyed back in the day, Roy Jones, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ali, a little bit of Floyd (Mayweather) I feel like if the fans love those guys they’ll definitely love me,” said Jones to Matchroom Boxing.
“Stepping into the professional game I have nothing but time to work with, once they let me go and its time for me to do my thing I can be in there with anybody.”
Omari Jones bringing big time fights back to Orlando under guidance of Eddie Hearn
“Bringing big time boxing back to Orlando is definitely a dream come true, I always envisioned myself having a homecoming here, I always envisioned myself to be the star of the city,” said the orthodox fighter.
The 22-year-old has always had aspirations of shining under the bright lights ever since an early age and looks at the bout on Saturday night in his home state to make his first stride behind the long line of talented American prospects who come before him.
“I feel like my younger self would definitely be proud of me and where I am now, just thinking back at that 8-year-old kid that always envisioned himself at the Olympics, told his parents I have to get to the gym in order to fulfil my goals and where I want to be,” said Jones.
He added, “looking back its like man wow you did it, the job is definitely not done yet.”
Having grown up being involved in combat sports, starting at age four with karate lessons before transitioning to boxing at eight, Jones spent his younger life aiming to achieve his goal of becoming an Olympic athlete, a dream he achieving competing in Paris last summer.
“The Olympics was a once in a lifetime dream achieved, of course I wanted a gold medal but now its time to go onto the next chapter and achieve my boxing dream,” said the prospect.
He will start the new chapter under the tutelage of trainer Jason Galarza at the School of Hard Knocks gym in Casselberry, Florida and promoted by future hall of fame promoter Eddie Hearn.
Speaking on his decision to link up with the Essex born promoter Jones said; “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 making me a superstar and global star.
I also want to stay busy, and I feel that Matchroom and Eddie Hearn is the perfect fit for that,” he added.
