Jones gutted as WBO fight stopped after clash of heads

Crawley boxer Ben Jones is lodging an appeal to the WBO after his Inter-Continental featherweight fight defence ended without a result.
Both fighters land punches, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231711008Both fighters land punches, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231711008
Both fighters land punches, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231711008

The referee stopped the fight in the third round because an accidental clash of heads left Jones’ Mexican opponent Jesus Antonio Rios with a cut below the right eye which was obscuring his vision.

However WBO rules meant the fight was not awarded to either boxer as the fight had not completed a minimum of four rounds out of a scheduled ten.

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This means that despite the K2 show ambitiously being named ‘Making History,’ World ranked number seven Jones ended the evening no nearer fighting for a World title than at the beginning.

Ben Jones poses for the press, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231746008Ben Jones poses for the press, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231746008
Ben Jones poses for the press, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231746008

It was a frustrating night for Team Jones as he was clearly on top at the time the referee stepped in, having won the first two rounds.

Jones’ promoter Kaz Evans of Assassin Promotions would like to see the result overturned from being a ‘No decision’ to a win for his fighter.

Evans said: “I was right by the corner and the Mexican said he didn’t want to continue.

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“I got straight in the ring and to grab the referee to say ‘he’s quit.’

Rios shows great sportsmanship by posing with Jones and his daughter for photos, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231758008Rios shows great sportsmanship by posing with Jones and his daughter for photos, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231758008
Rios shows great sportsmanship by posing with Jones and his daughter for photos, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231758008

“But the referee stood his ground that he was stopping the fight because there is a ban on cuts.

“I have lodged an appeal and will be speaking to the WBO.

“The worst case scenario is Ben stays ranked at number seven.”

Jones was just one round away from getting a crucial win which could have given him the ranking points he needed to earn him the right to challenge for a world title.

Ben Jones poses for the press, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231746008Ben Jones poses for the press, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231746008
Ben Jones poses for the press, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231746008
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Evans said: “If we’d got past the fourth round it would have been a stoppage on cuts and we would have been there, but we didn’t so it’s very frustrating.”

Evans was pleased with the way the event was going before the disappointing end to the main bout.

He said: “The second fight was great after a lacklustre first fight and the crowd had been warmed up nicely for what looked to be a cracking main event.

“The crowd was good, the atmosphere was good, it was good support for Ben and you can here from my voice, I’m disappointed.”

Rios shows great sportsmanship by posing with Jones and his daughter for photos, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231758008Rios shows great sportsmanship by posing with Jones and his daughter for photos, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231758008
Rios shows great sportsmanship by posing with Jones and his daughter for photos, 9th April 2016. (c) Jack Beard SUS-160904-231758008
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“Ben was in control, he was taking it slow, he was picking him off with a job and the left hook and to be fait he was binding his time, he got caught with a few silly shots in round one and he learnt from that. He was just getting going.

“It’s gutting. We’ve billed this event as Making History. We had it all mapped out, now I’ve got to get something sorted for him lively.

“I have never worked so hard on one show, organising one opponent.

“Events like this cost a lot of time, a lot of money.

“I’d like to thank the people of Crawley came out. I do respect the fans for supporting him.

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“This event took ten weeks to prepare. I don’t want to wait ten weeks, I want him out again in four weeks. he’s the fittest, leaest I’ve ever seen him.”

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