Otha Jones III Continues His Professional Maturation Process
When it comes to the talented young prospect Otha “OJ3” Jones III (4-0, 1 KO), age 19, there is no question that boxing runs in his blood. Although he did not stick with it for the long haul himself, the bug for the sweet science initially bit his father Otha Jones Jr. Despite moving onto other endeavors in his own life, Jones Jr without a doubt instilled a love of the sport in his children Jones III and his sister Osha Jones.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
As an amateur, Toledo, Ohio native OJ3 began boxing at the tender age of 7 and racked up the immensely impressive record of 223-9. Due to this stellar success, it is no surprise that when he turned pro, Jones III was quickly gobbled up and signed to a lucrative professional contract with Matchroom Boxing.
Currently his sister, Osha Jones, just clinched her spot on the 2020 Olympic boxing team as the #1 female fighter in the country in the 152lbs division. Obviously, OJ3 is proud of his accomplished sibling and is looking to continue upholding the fighting family’s honor when he faces Juan “Chago” Santiago (16-17-2, 9 KO’s) this January 30 on DAZN.
GETTING SHARPER FIGHT BY FIGHT
Even a blind man without his eye dog could easily see that Santiago has amassed a particularly soggy and lackluster professional record. This reality is not lost on Team Jones. Yet, while they are well aware that Chago is far from the crème of the crop, OJ3 is not concerning himself with his wins and losses alone. From Jones III perspective, Santiago has had 35 professional outings compared to his 4.
With this being the case, Jones III fully understands that he is exceptionally young for the pro ranks. Therefore he is more concerned with properly acclimating himself to the gritty realm of professional prizefighting than facing the stiffest challenge available. Approaching his upcoming bout from this angle, Jones III is more focused on trimming the fat of yesterday’s amateurish tactics from his style and developing a more effective professional skillset.
“[on becoming more proficient in his professional technique] I feel that I am slowly but surely [getting better], It’s going to come. No rush, you know fighters this young really don’t turn pro this young. I got time, I’m going to keep going and going and going, it’s going to come surely…
Just really trying to settle and finding the chin and placing my punches you know. Amateurs is points, points, points, points but in the pro’s you really have to sit down and look for the chin, start hitting a little harder you know. Littler gloves and I’m looking to clean it up.”
TAKING NO SHORTS, NO LOSES
Yet, even though he’s prepared to learn, OJ3 will still be looking to put a hurting on Chago. In fact, the main objective of his on-going learning process is to become a more effective striker and brutal-izer within the squared-circle.
“I watched a little film on him [Santiago], I know what to expect. You know 35 fights, that’s a lot of experience! But you know me, [I’m] slick, come to box real good, I’m not going to back down, you know. I’m going to look good, I’m going to handle business.
Its business, but I want to learn get a couple rounds in and hopefully finish you know?”
By: Bakari Simpson
