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Where is the next American boxing star?
During an extended rant over some of the ills that plague the sport, a boxing lifer posed the above question, prompting an extended silent pause.
Days later, Matchroom Boxing staged a news conference to introduce its newest signee, 2024 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Omari Jones, who will make his pro debut Saturday at Caribe Royale in Orlando.
And Jones’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, laid out his emphatic plans to provide the answer.
“We feel we have a great opportunity, and we feel we have America’s next superstar in Omari Jones,” Hearn said.
The 22-year-old starts by basking in the hometown treatment, the card regarded as “a hero’s return” after medalist Jones fought in 13 countries during the past three years to break through at the 2024 Summer Games and rub shoulders in the Paris with the likes of athletes whom he hopes to join as a household name – LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Simone Biles, Claressa Shields.
“It’s so surreal to fight my pro debut in my hometown. After all those fights away from home, to come and fight for my city, it couldn’t mean anything more,” Jones said.
Jones took his time committing to Hearn and Matchroom after the promoter “slid into his DMs” and met Jones and his parents for a Paris coffee to discuss his interest in signing the fighter.
“I told Omari, ‘If you go with Top Rank, it’s not a bad decision. They’ll do a good job for you.’ But I’m telling you we are hands-on, we’ve got a global TV schedule, solid contracts and we aren’t going anywhere. I’ve got enough engine to tell you I’ll be around for your whole career,” Hearn said.
Jones said he’s hopeful of fighting up to six times this first year as a pro, understanding that three-round amateur fights “are a sprint,” while his six-round debut and the bouts that follow will require a more patient, thoughtful approach.
“Activity’s very important for these young fighters. I want him to fight at least six times a year, maybe eight, going all around the world to build him into a world champion and a superstar of sport,” Hearn said.
The promoter likened Jones’ next few years to the pro journey followed by unbeaten Cuban lightweight and 2021 Olympics gold medalist Andy Cruz, who has re-shaped his fighting style to become more entertaining and offensive as a pro.
Jones starts with skillset and composure and Hearn says he’ll lean into hiks matchmaker to ensure the early opponents will test him by bringing an assortment of challenges.
“You do have to adapt,” Hearn said. “A lot of these [talented amateurs], you don’t want to fight them beneath their level. They’ve fought a lot of outstanding amateurs. The last thing you want is for them to fight some guy fighting off the back foot.”
Jones said that promise of activity moved him to Matchroom.
“I have to sit down on my punches a little more and take my time. There’s no rush [for a title fight],” he said. “I’ll take my time until it’s my time, and I’ll fight whoever’s in front of me.”
Well-spoken, attentive and interesting in front of the camera, Jones is a big welterweight who may wind up in the gifted junior-middleweight division.
“I kept thinking when I would talk to Omari, ‘This kid’s a real star.’ His fighting ability is unquestioned. As a role model and ambassador for the sport, the way he looks and carries himself, I really believe there’s no one coming through like him,” Hearn said.
His mannerisms and boxing ability draw comparison to Hearn’s most successful fighter, the former Olympic and heavyweight champion of the world, Anthony Joshua.
The fact Hearn has played a role in creating a national sporting figure before gives him the credibility to pursue the same task in the vast U.S.
“When you make an investment like this in a fighter, you need to know you’re getting 110 percent from the individual,” Hearn said. “I know he’s not out partying, drinking. He’s working on his craft day in and day out.
“I straight told [Jones], ‘Don’t forget, all this money … we’re putting it up. And I’m not making a penny on you until you’re a world champion. That’s our investment to you. It’s an expensive operation.”
The cynics may be out there, but with success, charisma and diligence, perhaps boxing’s next big name is fighting on DAZN Saturday, on the undercard of a bout sheet headed by Austin “Ammo” Williams and Edgar Berlanga.
“You’ve got to invest wisely. And I believe we’ve spent our money perfectly on this young man [Jones],” Hearn said.
“He’s got a straight-forward path, and the only thing that will stop him is work ethic – which is not in question at all – and ability. He’s got that in bundles.”
