Junior Jones
Encyclopedia
Junior Jones is an American
former professional boxer
. Known by his nickname of "Poison", he won world championships at bantamweight
and super bantamweight
, and is best remembered for his two victories over then-undefeated Mexican
legend Marco Antonio Barrera
.
Championships, the 1988 119 lb Novice Championship and the 1989 119 lb Open Championship. In 1988 Jones defeated Arnold Miranda of the Cage Recreation in the finals to win the Championship and in 1989 Jones defeated Robert Pimentel of the New York City Recreation in the finals to win the Championship. Jones trained at the Police Athletic League. In the Olympic box-offs he lost to eventual Gold medallist Kennedy McKinney
.
His record was 150-9.
Bantamweight title on 23 October 1993 with a win over Jorge Julio Rocha
. On 22 April 1994, Jones lost his title to John Michael Johnson
by a TKO in the eleventh round.
Jones faded into obscurity for the next two years prior to taking on the undefeated Barrera for the WBO Super bantamweight
title on 22 November 1996. He was the first man to beat Barrera, knocking the Mexican superstar out in the fifth round. Barrera's corner-men entered the ring, which disqualifed Barrera before he could be stopped. In the rematch, Jones won a unanimous decision against Barrera, although some fans disputed the verdict. After winning the two fights over Barrera, Jones lost his belt to 1998 Olympic
Gold Medal winner Kennedy McKinney
. Following the loss to McKinney, Jones took on WBC Super bantamweight title holder Erik Morales
, losing by a TKO in the fourth round. The loss to Morales was the beginning of the end for Jones, who went on to win against Tracy Harris Patterson
and Tom Johnson
before losing to Paul Ingle
before hanging up his gloves in 2002.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional boxer
Professional Boxing
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, emerged in the early twentieth century as boxing gradually attained legitimacy and became a regulated, sanctioned sport. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse which is divided among the fighters and promoters as determined by contract...
. Known by his nickname of "Poison", he won world championships at bantamweight
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
and super bantamweight
Super Bantamweight
Super bantamweight is a weight division in professional boxing. The maximum weight for this division is 122 pounds, or roughly 55.34 kilograms....
, and is best remembered for his two victories over then-undefeated Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
legend Marco Antonio Barrera
Marco Antonio Barrera
Marco Antonio Barrera Tapia is a Mexicanprofessional boxer. He has won numerous world titles in three different weight classes; he is a former two-time WBO super bantamweight , WBC, Lineal, & The Ring featherweight , and WBC & IBF super featherweight champion...
.
Amateur career
Jones won two New York Golden GlovesGolden Gloves
The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States. The Golden Gloves is often the term used to refer to the National Golden Gloves competition, but it also can represent several other amateur tournaments, including regional golden gloves...
Championships, the 1988 119 lb Novice Championship and the 1989 119 lb Open Championship. In 1988 Jones defeated Arnold Miranda of the Cage Recreation in the finals to win the Championship and in 1989 Jones defeated Robert Pimentel of the New York City Recreation in the finals to win the Championship. Jones trained at the Police Athletic League. In the Olympic box-offs he lost to eventual Gold medallist Kennedy McKinney
Kennedy McKinney
Kennedy McKinney is a former professional boxer, who won the bantamweight gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics...
.
His record was 150-9.
Professional career
Jones began his career in 1989 and ran off a string of 32 consecutive victories, capturing the WBAWorld Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
Bantamweight title on 23 October 1993 with a win over Jorge Julio Rocha
Jorge Julio Rocha
Jorge Eliécer Julio Rocha is a former Colombian bantamweight boxer best known to win the WBA and later the WBO title as a pro.-Amateur:...
. On 22 April 1994, Jones lost his title to John Michael Johnson
John Michael Johnson
John Michael Johnson was an American bantamweight boxer. He briefly held a championship in that division.- Professional career :...
by a TKO in the eleventh round.
Jones faded into obscurity for the next two years prior to taking on the undefeated Barrera for the WBO Super bantamweight
Super Bantamweight
Super bantamweight is a weight division in professional boxing. The maximum weight for this division is 122 pounds, or roughly 55.34 kilograms....
title on 22 November 1996. He was the first man to beat Barrera, knocking the Mexican superstar out in the fifth round. Barrera's corner-men entered the ring, which disqualifed Barrera before he could be stopped. In the rematch, Jones won a unanimous decision against Barrera, although some fans disputed the verdict. After winning the two fights over Barrera, Jones lost his belt to 1998 Olympic
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
Gold Medal winner Kennedy McKinney
Kennedy McKinney
Kennedy McKinney is a former professional boxer, who won the bantamweight gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics...
. Following the loss to McKinney, Jones took on WBC Super bantamweight title holder Erik Morales
Erik Morales
Érik Isaac Morales Elvira is a Mexican professional boxer. He is the first Mexican born boxer in history to win a world title in four weight classes and is the current WBC Light Welterweight Champion...
, losing by a TKO in the fourth round. The loss to Morales was the beginning of the end for Jones, who went on to win against Tracy Harris Patterson
Tracy Harris Patterson
Tracy Harris Patterson, , is a former boxer who became a two weight world champion. Born Tracy Harris, he is the adopted son of former Golden Gloves and World Champion Floyd Patterson, turned Golden Gloves success into a solid pro career...
and Tom Johnson
Tom Johnson (boxer)
Tom Johnson was a boxer in the Featherweight division. Known as "Boom boom" ,Johnson turned pro in 1986 and in 1991 challenged Manuel Medina for the IBF Featherweight Title, losing a technical decision. In 1993 he rematched Medina and was able to win the title with a narrow split decision victory...
before losing to Paul Ingle
Paul Ingle
Paul Andrew Ingle is a retired featherweight boxer. As an amateur he competed for Great Britain at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. As a professional he won the IBF, European, British, & Commonwealth featherweight titles.-Amateur career:As an amateur, Ingle was a member of the 1992...
before hanging up his gloves in 2002.