Matchroom Boxing: Morrison Out, Jones In For Light Welter Prizefighter Tourney

ByBoxing Press

Talented Welsh prospect Barrie Jones gets his Prizefighter chance after Barry Morrison has had to withdraw due to a viral infection.

Jones, 24, a former British Welterweight Championship contender, will be fighting for the £32,000 top prize in Prizefighter Light-Welterweights next month.

Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn believes Jones, who has won 16 of his 19 professional contests, could cause a big upset.

“We welcome Barrie Jones into the Prizefighter line-up where the format of three rounds should suit Barrie’s explosive style,” said Hearn.

“Despite Barrie’s losing challenge to Kell Brook for the British Welterweight title, Barrie’s dynamic punching will make him a betting outsider to follow in Prizefighter.

“He has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain so I’m expecting fireworks from him from the first bell.

Jones, who hails from Ferndale in Wales, won his first 15 professional contests but will be hungry to prove a point after losing to Brook in June 2008 then a hugely-controversial narrow points loss against former World Champion Souleymane M’baye later that year.

Prizefighter Light-Welterweights is the latest event in Barry Hearn’s Prizefighter Series where eight men fight in a tournament over one action-packed evening.

The winner will collect £32,000 and Prizefighter Light-Welterweights takes place at the National Hall, Olympia, London on Friday, December 4.

This line-up is the strongest ever as former World Champion Gavin Rees is among the eight, as are Ted Bami, Colin Lynes and Jason Cook, who have all held European titles.

Former British Champions Young Muttley and David Barnes are also included, while undefeated youngster Michael Grant and highly-rated Jones complete a strong line-up.

Tickets cost £40 (unreserved) and £80 (reserved) and are available from See Tickets on 0870 903 9033, www.seetickets.com or from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900. All the action will also be screened live on Sky Sports.

The full list of competitors is: Ted Bami (Brixton, London), David Barnes (Manchester), Jason Cook (Maesteg, Wales), Michael Grant (Tottenham, London), Barry Jones (Ferndale, Wales), Colin Lynes (Hornchurch, Essex), Young Mutley (West Bromwich, West Midlands), Gavin Rees (Newbridge, Wales).