Jones returns as the ‘Spiritual Warrior’

Tony Jones with BCB’s Paul Mann

IN their press release, Black Country Boxing Promotions inform me Tony Jones will step back through the ropes for the first time since 2018 on October 1 at the H Suite, Birmingham.

He has overcome “tragic circumstances and challenges”, the bulletin states.

It does not reveal the nature of the challenges or tragedy. He is now a “spiritual person” and wants to go by the name “Spiritual Warrior”.

I do not know the spiritual path he has taken, but it is by the by. I want to know what weight Jones, who last fought as a light-welter having compiled a 9-0-1, will compete at, why he is coming back, what he hopes to achieve.

A regular on Birmingham shows, I believe he’s 32. I recall he was a tough warrior and featured in a fight of the year before hanging up his gloves.

I have attempted to fill-in the gaps, but Tony gave me a two hour window of opportunity 24 hours after my request for an interview.

Champions are more flexible.

He is being trained by former experienced pro Kieron Gray, a man I have a lot of time for.

In the release, Tony, from Telford, said: “I haven’t set unrealistic targets for the second half of my boxing career, a big motivation is just to get back in there and put on a good performance for my family and friends. I have been through a lot since my last fight, but I can't wait to step back through the ropes.”

  His time out has been spent in part serving his local community, working at the Len Woodhall Community Boxing Club in Telford. The gym environment is something Tony loves and, after a change in personal circumstances, he is now able to train harder than ever.

  “Strange thing is, even though I wasn’t boxing myself I have never spent more time in the gyms than I have the last few years. I love giving back to the local area working with the kids and giving my time for something positive.”

 Jones will have the experienced ex pro Kieron “Slammer” Gray in his corner on fight night and the two men have built up a solid partnership.

 “My trainer and I have built a great relationship these last 18 months and I have been able to get great sparring with a real mixture of partners. We have been able to train at the BCB gym with those guys and I am ready to shake off the ring rust. I have really enjoyed working with Paul Mann and know I will be in the best possible shape come the 1st.

 “I am a very spiritual person and open minded, it has helped me overcome some very hard times. This next step in my career I want to be known as Tony ‘Spiritual Warrior’ Jones".

That’s a mouthful for MCs.

In a facebook message, Tony told me: “I would like to be known as Spiritual Warrior Tony ‘Blaze’ Jones.”

His weight for his comeback bout will be 9st 13lbs and he aims to slim down to lightweight.

He added: “I would like to thank God for giving me the strength every day to come back to the professional boxing ranks again to finish off a story that’s got plenty of meaning, to fullfil a lifelong personal dream of mine, expressing myself freely through the art of boxing. I am a professional athlete. Boxing is my life. I’m here to win.”

*Tickets for the H Suite bill are available, priced £40 standard, £75 VIP directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.