Blackwell vs. Jones Set, 7/25 In Derby; H. Fury Added

By Jake Donovan 

Nick Blackwell is handed a dangerous assignment for the first defense of his British middleweight title. The streaking middleweight will take on unbeaten countryman Damon Jones, with their bout topping a July 25 bill at Derby Arena in Derby, England. 

Undefeated heavyweight prospect Hughie Fury—whose cousin, Tyson Fury is also unbeaten and a top heavyweight contender—appears in the evening's chief support, against an opponent to be determined. 

Both bouts–announced on Thursday by Hennessy Sports, the lead promoter for the event—will air live on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom, with Spike U.K. to air select undercard fights.

Blackwell (17-3-1, 7KOs) is fresh off of a major upset knockout win over John Ryder last month at O2 Arena in London, claiming the very belt at stake on July 25. The 24-year old is unbeaten in his last five starts, but his performance versus Ryder resonated with the viewing public, quite a statement since the same show also saw Jorge Linares, Lee Selby and Anthony Joshua each turn in sensational wins. 

“We're only just getting started with Nick Blackwell,” said promoter Mick Hennessy. “He's 24 years of age, but already has a wealth of experience, and it showed in his tremendous win against John Ryder.”

Blackwell's handlers will attempt to catch lightning in a bottle in facing Jones (13-0-0-1NC, 3KOs). The 22-year old rising middleweight challenges for his first title of any kind, and also stepping up in class despite boasting the glossier record. 

More so than facing an unbeaten challenger, the clash of styles is what makes this bout an intriguing showdown. 

 

“Damon Jones is a tall, awkward southpaw with plenty of ambition,” points out Hennessy. “He's undefeated as a pro and will feel he has the style and ability to dethrone Nick in Derby. Nick will, of course, have other ideas.”

Blackwell's performance in July could dictate the next steps taken in his career. Aspirations of a world title shot are obviously the goal, but for the moment a matter of how much longer he needs to develop on the domestic level.

 

“I truly believe Nick can now go on to dominate the other middleweights in Britain before looking to climb his way further up the world rankings,” Hennessy insists. “He's young enough and good enough to one day be in the mix for world titles.”

The undercard will include: junior welterweight contender Lenny Daws; junior featherweight Leigh Wood; current English flyweight champion Louis Norman; and prospects Yusuf Safa and Young Fury.