He is never a threat – ‘Lightning Assassin’ Jones
FOUR months ago, the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) partnered with Denton Osborne of Osborne and Associates to take the ProAm card to the mining town of Linden for the first time, where boxing fans witnessed Barbados-based Cleveland Fraser oppose Kurt Bess for the national cruiserweight title. Leading up to the fight, Fraser said he was looking past Bess, since his eyes were focused on national light heavyweight champion Kwesi Jones and the World Boxing Council/Caribbean Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Shawn Corbin.
In his own words, the 33-year-old Fraser said, “I am feeling comfortable ahead of this fight. In fact I am so confident I will defeat Bess that I am looking down the road at title clashes with both Kwesi ‘Lightning Assassin’ Jones and Shawn Corbin, with Corbin holding a victory over me.”
The boxing buffs within the GBBC heard Fraser’s cry even though he suffered a humiliating fourth round TKO at the hands of Bess and handed him Kwesi ‘Lightning Assassin’ Jones, who will place his light heavyweight belt on the line in this month’s ProAm card, scheduled for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall next Friday.
In an invited comment with Chronicle Sport, Jones said he does not view Fraser as a threat, since he fought better fighters before.
“If he can recall, Bess told him prior to their fight, that he needs to get past him to get at me and unfortunately for Fraser, Bess stopped him in the fourth round, but he still got his matchup against me and certainly I will teach him a boxing lesson next Friday.
To me, he is not a threat. I have fought better fighters than him, including Lennox Allen and I am the rightful owner of the national light heavyweight title, as I won it fair and square when I knocked out Leon Gilkes in March,” said Jones.
He added, “Anybody who wishes to challenge me for this title has to come good, as they will be looking for problems. I am Guyana’s light heavyweight champion and I have no intentions to give up that title so easily and with Fraser saying I am keeping the belt for him since it belongs to him, well, let’s see him try and take it away from me, if he thinks he can do so.”
The 26-year-old Jones who suffered a humiliating loss to Allen when the two met for the WBC/CABOFE super middleweight title three months ago, said he is now focuses on fighting within his weight range, even though he fought a heavier Anthony Augustine on the last ProAm card.
“When I fought Allen, I did so at a lower weight. I am not saying that the shedding of pounds contributed to my loss, as I felt comfortable with my performance, just that he was the better fighter on the night and his victory confirms that.
“In the future, I am looking at fighting within my weight class. Even though I fought Augustine who is heavier than me on the last ProAm card, that was a last-minute notification bout I took on the night of the fight, after being approached while I was entering the venue to watch the fights, so Fraser best be aware of what he is getting into with me.”
According to Jones, while he intends to teach Fraser a boxing lesson, he would make him wish he had not left these shores and opted to reside in Barbados, as he intends to confirm the words of his good friend and national heavyweight champion Kurt Bess.
“He asked for me and he got me. I will show him that Kurt’s words were not empty and at the same time, make him regret going to Barbados, as this will be the second time he will be coming home to fight for a title and the second time he loses out.
While he was knocked out cold by Kurt, I will not be looking to do so unless the opportunity presents itself, wherein I will take it. My aim is to teach him a lesson he was never taught before in the squared circle. His eyes pass me and for that he must be punished in any way possible.”
When quizzed on his training leading up to the contest, Jones said he is undergoing light work at the moment, but intends to step up same as the date draws near, since his intention is to leave no stones unturned, especially with his title at stake.
“I will not be underestimating him, as we are both boxers. However, he needs to know his place when it comes to picking his opponents. He issued a threat and I love acting on threats and as I said, he will be punished as I intend to be police, judge and executioner in this matter,” stated Jones.
Other fights on the card, which is the 18th organised by both the GBBC and the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association, will see Pauline London oppose Veronica Blackman, Revlon Lake take on Cecil Smith and Gordel Roberts go up against Ray Sandiford, since his original opponent Clive Atwell who resides in Dominica, is unable to make it.
On the amateur side, Nandkumar Singh who has been a crowd favourite following his exploits in last year’s GABA national championships makes a return to the ring where he faces Marlon Darrel, while ALBA Games bronze medallist Imran ‘Magic’ Khan takes on Richard Williamson, Romel Rowley opposes Akeem Daniels and Eon Bancroft matches gloves with Kelsie George.