When Boxing News caught up with Troy Jones last week, the Birmingham light-heavyweight was unaware that the British title clash between Lewis Edmondson and Ezra Taylor had been postponed. An injury to champion Edmondson forced the cancellation, much to the disappointment of fans who had followed the rivalry closely. Taylor remained active, stopping Steed Woodall in nine rounds, keeping hope alive for a future grudge match.
Jones, however, knows all about Taylor. Back in May, he traveled to Nottingham to face him on the undercard of Leigh Wood’s defeat to Anthony Cacace. While the scorecards (99-91, 100-90, 97-93) heavily favored the hometown fighter, Jones insists he was far closer than the numbers suggested.
Every fighter claims they’ll “fight anyone,” but Jones truly means it — though he acknowledges timing and opportunity are crucial. Speaking about potential short-notice fights, he told BN: “I’ll fight any time, any place, anywhere. But it’s not just down to me — it’s my manager [Lee Beard] and my coach. I trust them completely. I’m always ready, it’s just a matter of whether they think it makes sense.”
That readiness will be tested again this Saturday at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, where Jones (13-1, 6 KOs) faces Sheffield’s Liam Cameron (23-7-1, 10 KOs). The bout is part of Frank Warren’s light-heavyweight triple-header, featuring Joshua Buatsi vs. Zach Parker in the main event and Bradley Rea vs. Lyndon Arthur for European and domestic bragging rights. At this level, a loss can set a fighter back significantly.
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The Taylor fight has been invaluable for Jones’ development. The former English light-heavyweight champion has learned to balance opportunity with preparation, listen to his team, and diversify his style. Coach Lee Beard has long urged him to be “a box of tricks.”
“You’ve got to be a box of tricks against anyone,” Jones says. “Liam’s better than people give him credit for. He’s got a strong amateur pedigree, won the Commonwealth middleweight title, and isn’t a one-trick pony. But I expect to control the fight.”
Jones is prepared for any scenario, whether it’s a tactical boxing match or a close-range brawl: “If it comes to a phone booth fight, I’m happy to stand and trade. But I think I can give him a boxing lesson too. Either way, I expect to come out on top.”
Recognition from Frank Warren has been a huge boost for Jones, who was fighting small-hall shows just over a year ago. Reflecting on the Taylor bout, he says the wide scorecards didn’t bother him: “I’m an honest kid. I probably didn’t win 10-0, maybe closer to a draw. But the scorecards are irrelevant — everyone saw what happened. He adjusted well, and I got a bit too comfortable. I know I have the beating of him, and I can right the wrongs if we meet again.”
Saturday’s card highlights just how deep the British light-heavyweight division has become. Warren now promotes multiple fighters at 175lbs — including Anthony Yarde, Buatsi, Willy Hutchinson, Parker, Rea, Cameron, and Taylor — making for an exciting domestic scene. Jones is determined to stay in the mix: “It’s exciting for the weight class, and it’s full of opportunities. People are too scared of losing now. There are enough light-heavyweights in the UK to give fans good fights. I’m happy to fight anyone, anywhere, and that’s why I’m in this division.”
A win on Saturday will see Troy Jones deliver exactly what he promises: smart, entertaining boxing while cementing his place in Britain’s booming 175-pound scene.
