By Jake Donovan
John Jackson is at a similar point in his career as future opponent Jorge Cota—previously defined by their losses rather than what they've accomplished in the sport.
Heading into his showdown with Dennis Laurente, the 26-year old was best known as one of the fighting sons of legenday knockout artist Julian Jackson, but in recent times recalled for his one-punch knockout loss to Andy Lee last summer.
The storyline not always discussed was the fact that Jackson was dominating the fight to that point, even dropping Lee early before eventually getting caught. Sunday's win over Laurente at Full Sail Live in Winter Park, Florida served as a firm reminder of his full in-ring capabilities.
Jackson scored a third-round knockdown en route to a 10-round shutout decision in the opening bout of the first edition of Premier Boxing Champions: The Next Round on Bounce TV.
"I was trying to listen to the corner's advice," Jackson said of his performance. "When I knocked him down in the third round I had been hearing my corner tell me to throw the uppercut. So I caught him on the chin with one and he went down."
Given his familiar bloodlines, the expectations were for Jackson—who along with his brother Julius represented Virgin Islands in the 2008 Olympics—to finish his fallen foe. Laurente was able to dust himself off and fight back, to the point of forcing Jackson to tone down his aggression and box over the last few rounds to preserve the win.
"Going in to my fights everyone expects the knockout. If it comes it comes, but I really just want the win."
The bout was paired with another super welterweight bout, one that helped shape his immediate future. Jorge Cota rode two knockdowns to an upset decision win over Yudel Jhonson in the second leg of the four-man super welterweight tournament.
Jackson and Cota will now move on and fight in a future edition of PBC: the Next Round on Bounce TV. That means another TV date for Jackson, and another chance to remind fans to remember him for his best wins more so than his greatest misses.
"I want to thank God and Al Haymon for being on Bounce TV. This is great exposure. After my loss against (Andy) Lee I want to continue to show people that I'm a more mature, composed fighter.
"I'll take a week or two off now. My brother fights soon and I'll head straight into camp with him as soon as he's ready after his fight. It won't be a long rest."
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox