Double vision for the Jones twins’ debut!
Dave (right) and Rob Jones have their first fights next month
IT’LL be fight fans left seeing double when identical twins Dave and Rob Jones make their pro debuts next month.
To add to the confusion at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn on Sunday, February 23, both are in the same weight category, light-welter.
“We’re mirrors of each other,” said Dave, a larger-than-life character. “We’re both mates, we do everything together, but we are different people and have completely different styles.
“Rob’s more of a boxer, I’m more of a fighter.”
So that’s how supporters can tell them apart. Dave provided another handy tip for identification: “He’s the ugly one,” he laughed.
The twins, from Shirley, have been signed by Lee Beard and, at the age of 30, have joined the paid ranks late after a successful boxing career in the army. “We joined to box for the army and that’s what we did from day one,” Dave explained.
And the strong bond between the two has posed something of a problem for Lee. “It’s a nightmare,” Dave admitted. “He likes to keep us apart in the gym, but when Rob spars and I’m on the bag, I can’t help sneaking around and taking a look.
“Running the hills or on the track, we both want to be first, but we work really well together.”
It’s been a long, winding road to professionalism for the twins. They began their amateur careers with Solihull, then joined the army and immediately made the force’s podium squad. Both boxed in Australia, Rob was crowned Army champ.
With their four year stint recently completed, they returned to civilian life and decided to punch for pay.
“We should’ve done it years ago,” Dave said. “Troy Jones (current English light-heavyweight champ) is our best mate, we’re virtually related. He turned pro, we decided to fight in the army boxing team.
“We could’ve made a career in the army, got promoted and go into the PTI side, but decided the time was right to go pro.
“The army has stuck by us and supported us. There’ll be a lot from the army there for our debuts, with people from Liverpool, down south and the local area, people from all over. We have a major following.”
They will all be drowned out by the twins’ mum. “She can’t wait,” Dave said. “She has been with us throughout the journey and you’ll hear her more than anybody.”
With each having more than 40 amateur bouts and with top level experience, the twins want to be fast-tracked to titles. Age is not on their side.
Dave said: “I’m not silly, stupid. I don’t want to fight journeymen for ‘X’ amount of fights. I want to go straight for a Midlands, then an English – do it the way Troy Jones did it.
“One hundred per cent, with the work and dedication, I think we can both do it.”
They began boxing at the same time, joined the army at the same time and down the line it would be only fitting to see them fight for their first pro belts on the same show.