Junior Jones
| Junior Jones | |
|---|---|
|
Jones (right) with Al Cole in 2010 | |
| Statistics | |
| Nickname(s) | Poison |
| Rated at |
Bantamweight Super bantamweight Featherweight |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
December 19, 1970 Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 56 |
| Wins | 50 |
| Wins by KO | 28 |
| Losses | 6 |
Junior Jones (born December 20, 1970) is an American former professional boxer. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBA bantamweight and WBO super bantamweight titles. Jones' most notable victories came against then-undefeated Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in 1996 and 1997.
Amateur career
Jones won two New York Golden Gloves Championships, the 1988 119 lb Novice Championship and the 1989 119 lb Open Championship. In 1988 Jones defeated Arnold Miranda of the Cage Recreation in the finals to win the Championship and in 1989 Jones defeated Robert Pimentel of the New York City Recreation in the finals to win the Championship. Jones trained at the Police Athletic League. In the Olympic box-offs he lost to eventual Gold medallist Kennedy McKinney. His record was 150-9.
Professional career
Jones began his career in 1989 and ran off a string of 32 consecutive victories, capturing the WBA Bantamweight title on 23 October 1993 with a win over Jorge Julio Rocha. On 22 April 1994, Jones lost his title to John Michael Johnson by a TKO in the eleventh round.
Jones faded into obscurity for the next two years prior to taking on the undefeated Barrera for the WBO Super bantamweight title on 22 November 1996. He was the first man to beat Barrera, knocking the Mexican superstar out in the fifth round. Barrera's corner-men entered the ring, which disqualifed Barrera before he could be stopped. In the rematch, Jones won a unanimous decision against Barrera, although pro-Barrera fans disputed the verdict. After winning the two fights over Barrera, Jones lost his belt to 1998 Olympic Gold Medal winner Kennedy McKinney. Following the loss to McKinney, Jones took on WBC Super bantamweight title holder Erik Morales, losing by a TKO in the fourth round. The loss to Morales was the beginning of the end for Jones, who went on to win against Tracy Harris Patterson and Tom Johnson before losing to Paul Ingle before hanging up his gloves in 2002.
| Preceded by Jorge Julio Rocha |
WBA Bantamweight Champion 23 Oct 1993– 22 Apr 1994 |
Succeeded by John Michael Johnson |
| Preceded by Marco Antonio Barrera |
WBO Super Bantamweight Champion 22 Nov 1996– 19 Dec 1997 |
Succeeded by Kennedy McKinney |