Drama, controversy in Jones twins fights
Dave Jones and his team celebrate his first victory
THE hotly anticipated ring debuts of identical twins Dave and Rob Jones provided drama, controversy and a splash of bad blood.
The former elite army boxers didn’t have it all their own way at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, on a packed Sunday afternoon show.
The Shirley twins, guided in the pro ranks by Lee Beard, were unhappy Rob came away with only a draw after he and tough Connor Meanwell traded punches for four action packed rounds.
I, however, had no issue with referee Chris Dean’s 38-38 tally. Newark’s Meanwell may have a patchy record, but always comes to wage war. He is “Pitbull” by ring name, pitbull by nature.
Dave had a much easier time against tall Wiltshire journeyman Paul Cummings, scoring a shutout 40-36 win.
But that routine outing turned distinctly feisty at the final bell. It even threatened to turn ugly.
Cummings, taking part in his 93rd bout, glowered and remonstrated after being caught marginally after the bell to end the first.
When again tagged after the final bell sounded, he angrily gestured at the crowd favourite and attempted to march towards him.
Jones was prevented from engaging in a heated mid-ring exchange by his team. Such a rush of emotion is very unlike Cummings who usually takes defeat – and he is no stranger to defeat – with a smile.
He left the ring before the decision was announced and was still simmering in the hotel foyer. “First time I’ve had that,” he said. “I’m a bit long in the tooth for that.”
Dave’s alleged infringements – he was ticked off by referee Dean in the second for a blow to the back of the head - were the result of first night exuberance, not deliberate foul play. He fought at close quarters, was effective with rights to the body, but should’ve used his jab more.
He worked the body in the first, took a meaty left hook from Cummings (11st 6lbs) in the second and responded with a right flush on the button.
Cummings attempted to open with a flurry in the third, only to be driven back and caught by those spiteful rights to the ribs. He attempted to keep it long in the last, but was nailed by a long right hand from Jones (10st 11lbs) and again corralled against the ropes.
Rob Jones ponders the draw with Connor Meanwell
Rob (10st 7lbs) can take some comfort from the fact he and tattooed Meanwell served up the fight of the night, a contest of two distinct halves. It capped a fine, six bout card staged by Jon Pegg and Scott Murray.
He bossed the early going, jabbing sharply, driving home rights downstairs and, in the second, breaching Meanwell’s guard with right uppercuts and left hooks.
Yet the Nottinghamshire hardman (11st 1lbs) kept coming, kept throwing left hooks to the body.
Meanwell sunk to his knees after a head clash in the third, dusted himself off and enjoyed his best moments. With Rob seemingly feeling the pace, he let right hands go and both exchanged hooks at close quarters.
Both punches it out in a wildly exciting last round, giving and taking short shots. Meanwell dug deep down the stretch, both hands churning, to earn a share of the spoils.
Rob felt he had done enough and, on clean shots landed, may have a point. I – and Mr Dean – felt Meanwell’s aggression and refusal to take a backward step deserved some reward.
Last night, the 30-year-old Jones twins discovered the professional game is a very different sport.