KO king Troy belts out a title warning

Troy Jones…another demolition job. Pic: MSN Images/BCB Promotions

UNBEATEN Troy Jones looked in devastating form, demolishing Prince Oko Nartey in three rounds in the headline bout on BCB Promotions’ Friday night show at the H Suite, Edgbaston, writes PAUL WEBB.

The 25-year-old, from Birmingham, faced arguably the toughest test of his career in what was his 10th professional bout. Nartey came in with a decent record, including 10 wins of his own by stoppage, but the Ghanaian had been knocked out in his last fight by the talented prospect Ezra Taylor.

Jones quickly took control of the centre of the ring as the southpaw Nartey was forced to box off the back foot, moving against the ropes and absorbing several right hands in the first round.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic and Nartey landed some stinging straight left hands of his own, but Jones made adjustments and carried a tighter guard, nullifying the power of these punches.

Coach Lee Beard looked happy with his charges work in the first two rounds, and you could sense the confidence in Jones growing.

Nartey started the third the busier of the two, but Jones was slipping the shots and caught him with a heavy right hand that sent him clumsily into the ropes. A quick series of unanswered blows followed, forcing referee Ryan Churchill to step in to waive the fight off, much to the protestation of Nartey, who angrily pushed him away.

The light heavyweight talent is now in his third year in the paid ranks and although his team isn’t in a hurry, he looks like a potential serious player in the division. A domestic title shot could be in his near future.