Bomber Jones made to work for victory

Brandon Jones in action last night

CHELMSLEY Wood’s big punching Brandon “Bomber” Jones received invaluable lessons from journeyman Darryl Sharp as he moves towards title contention.

And the light-heavy, who has stopped half his eight victims to date, was never allowed to detonate the dynamite he carries in each fist against the canny southpaw.

In fact, at BCB’s Eastside Rooms bill last night (Saturday) Jones had it far from his own way. Manchester’s Sharp had success with southpaw lead hooks and, in the second, connected with the shot with alarming regularity.

In the dressing room afterwards, Brandon admitted he was caught too often with the punch.

Jones, aged 23, won the four rounder beyond doubt – 40-36 on referee Jamie Kirkpatrick’s card, but it was no walk in the park. Sharp, taking part in his 120nd bout (seven wins, one draw) made him graft for every minute of every round.

That’s exactly what a novice pro needs.

Sharp (12st 11lbs 4oz) grinned and talked his way through the encounter, despite blood spilling from his nose. He’d flash his gumshield in a smile, say something, then point a glove at the ring canvas.

“I was trying to get him to stay in the ring centre,” the 31-year-old told me afterwards, “but it didn’t work. Catch him with right hooks, that was the plan, but that didn’t come off, either. He’s a good, tidy boxer.”

Of his profession as a journeyman, Sharp laughed: “I could never hold down a proper job.”

Jones (13st 1lb 5oz) will be a better, more rounded boxer because of the encounter.

After a wake-up call in the second when Sharp connected with two flush rights, Bomber took control of the fight.

He shrugged off the running commentary from his opponent to land left hooks to the body and banged in right hands.

Trainer John Costello said afterwards: “Darryl Sharp is tough as a pebble and can be a nightmare, 100 per cent.

“There’s no rush with Brandon. He’s 23 and still learning.”

He learnt a lot from Sharp.