Building Towards the Future: Matchroom Boxing looking for a knockout by signing 18-year-old Otha Jones III

It was only a few short weeks ago when Matchroom Boxing announced the signing of amateur fighter Otha Jones III. The 18-year-old super-lightweight from Ohio is one of the many signs of progression for the organization, who recently formed a very high-profile partnership with The Perform Group and DAZN.

“I am really excited to start my pro career with Matchroom and DAZN,” said Jones III during the Andrade v. Akavov press conference. “This is a big accomplishment to my team for all the years of hard work. I am extremely grateful to Split-T Management and Matchroom for the believing in me. I want to thank my Dad (Otha Jones II) and my brother (Roshawn Jones) for all their sacrifice in the gym. I’m going to make everyone proud.”

With a 283-13 amateur record, Jones enters the ring during a true Golden Age of boxing. His goal is to become the best the sport has to offer. Since he was eight all he wanted to do was box. The two-time USA National Champion and four-time State Wrestling Champion has speed and power that can remind any boxing fan of the fighters of old.

Represented by Split-T Management, the Ohio native impressed Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn enough to grab him before anyone else could. Hearn himself called him “the elite” when it comes to amateur boxing. He stated he can see great things in Otha’s future, although a match announcement has not been made yet.

As far as motivating factors in Otha fighting, he wants to help the youth of today. A kid himself, “OJ3” has lost many of his friends to the streets and drugs. His message at the press conference was to stay off the streets and to do something meaningful with their lives.

If his career is as successful as his goals and hopes, Matchroom may have truly hit the jackpot.