Sheppey heavyweight boxer Dave Jones teams up with fellow local big hitters to form sparring club ahead of bout against James Oliphant
08:00, 12 November 2014
A Medway-based fight club has helped Sheppey heavyweight Dave Jones prepare for his next outing.
Jones faces Yorkshire’s James Oliphant in his second professional fight at the Civic Hall in Grays on Saturday.
And the big-hitter from Queenborough has got together with a group of fellow heavyweights to give him every chance.
Jones said: “Every Tuesday eight of us, all heavyweights, meet up at Rocky’s Gym in Rochester to get some sparring.
“There isn’t much about at that weight so you do struggle to get sparring. We got in touch over facebook and there are all sorts who turn up, from the smaller ones who come forward, to the 22-stone lumps who can bang.
"We have a few wars but it’s run well. If anyone gets hurt we back off.”
Oliphant will prove to be a different proposition to Jones’ debut opponent, Moses Matovu, beaten relatively comfortably in four rounds.
Jones said: “My debut fight was against a tricky one, as he kept running off and was just trying to survive. This time, he’ll be coming at me and wanting a brawl.”
Tickets are still available for the fight by calling 07774 759317.
Meanwhile, Sheppey middleweight Oli Edwards has had to pull out of his November 29 fight at York Hall due to a knee injury.
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