`I am the new breed and he needs to recognise that’ – ‘Lightning Hitman’ Jones
“HE has had his time and now it’s my turn to shine. I am the new breed and he needs to recognise that and if he does not, then I will have to make him do so in some form or the other.”
Those were the words of 25-year-old Kwesi ‘Lightning Hitman’ Jones who has signed to meet Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ in the main bout of the eighth edition of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC)/ Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) ProAm Fights next Friday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Jones said he is not fazed by Eastman’s career record and believes this upcoming bout can do well for his already budding professional record which shows he has only one loss to Edmond De Clou in his six fights, as a win can propel him into the world rankings in the not-too-distant future.
“At the moment his achievements in the ring don’t mean anything to me. When he steps into the ring next Friday, he will have to start all over again and it will definitely be a different battle, in comparison to the ones he’s had with Denny Dalton and Andrew Lewis.
As I said before, I am the new breed. I am not Dalton or Lewis and even though he is experienced, he needs to recognise that fact. I destroyed De Clou not because I wanted to, but because I needed to make a statement,” said Jones.
He added: “When we fought the first time, he and many of his fans said my victory was a fluke so he got a rematch which he won and he was walking around with a puffed up chest. Now knowing my capabilities and having suffered an injured hand, I asked for a rematch which he gave me and that’s where the punishment flowed, as he suffered a broken nose en route to a knockout defeat.
Come next Friday night, I plan to continue where I left off with De Clou when I face Eastman. I am more than 100% confident for this bout and I intend to make a statement in the same manner against Eastman.
Not that I am looking for a knockout victory, but a more impressive one as I know he is crafty and will be calling on all his experience to stop me and that’s where I plan to take my advantage over him. I’m fully conditioned for this fight, and I’m fully satisfied with the preparation so far so he best beware.”
He believes his nimble footwork and general use of the ring will be enough to get him past Eastman, an opponent he sees as a stumbling block to his career.
“Contrary to what people may want to think, I am no poke. I took the fight because it’s a challenge for me and I love challenges and if I intend to prove that I am the hardest hitting middleweight around, then the best person to prove that against would be Eastman.
“Added to that, he is a stumbling block in my way and once something is blocking you and its removable, you have to move it and I intend to move him out of my way, which at the end of the bout places me in an opportunity to be a world rated fighter,” said Jones.
“Eastman is full of tricks and I’m just skilful, strong and intelligent; therefore he would be no problem for me. I just want people to know that Kwesi ‘Lightning Hitman’ Jones is the best upcoming middleweight in the country and if Howard Eastman is the man to prove that point, then so be it.”
Other fights on the card will see Mark Austin take on Antigua and Barbuda-based Clive Atwell, Simeon Hardy oppose Gavin Williams and Pauline London meet Debbie Tyson in a rematch that can be termed the battle for bragging rights.
The action gets under way at 20:00 h with four amateur bouts, while National Communications Network (NCN) Channel 11 will broadcast all bouts live, while admission to Guyana’s lone indoor venue is $500 for the night’s proceedings.