The first title bout on OTX delivered excitement as unbeaten women’s junior middleweight Oshae Jones claimed her first title, defeating Femke Hermans via split decision Friday at Corey Studios in Atlanta.
The judges scored it 97-93 (Hermans), 96-94 (Jones) and 97-93 (Jones).
Jones, 26, of Toledo, Ohio, started aggressively in the opening round, pressing forward while Belgium’s Hermans, 34, relied on her awkward style and volume punching. The second round saw Jones rock Hermans with a right hook from the southpaw stance late in the frame. However, a head clash in the third seemed to affect Jones, making the fight even more challenging.
Both fighters had their moments as the bout progressed. Jones landed the more impactful punches, but Hermans maintained relentless pressure and a high work rate, refusing to yield her belt without a fight. A wild exchange in the fourth saw Hermans spin 360 degrees after a missed punch, with Jones taking control and driving her to the ropes. The fifth round electrified the crowd as Jones landed clean, hard punches, leaving Hermans visibly marked.
Hermans found her rhythm in the sixth, landing sneaky right hands and taking control for her best moments of the fight. As the rounds wore on, Hermans’ volume seemed to give her momentum, while Jones occasionally showed signs of fatigue. A dramatic ninth round featured another head clash, with Jones again coming out of it worse – but she rallied with effective hooks to ensure a strong finish. The 10th round saw both fighters dig deep, with Jones pushing Hermans to the ropes and unloading flurries, knowing the fight was close.
“Yeah, I give her credit; she was a tough opponent,” Jones said after the fight. “She gave me that good push for a good challenge.”
Jones improved to 8-0 (3 KOs), capturing her first world title as the 2020 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist. Hermans fell to 18-5 (7 KOs).
Jones dedicated the victory to Tiara Brown, who has never received a shot at a title fight despite her undefeated record.
Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.
