The Amari Jones world title aspirations are going to be tested on Friday night in maybe his toughest boxing fight to date.
If he gets past former world middleweight champion Gualtieri it is thought a world title shot is around the corner for him this year.
He needs this test of course and some things to bare in mind if you are new to boxing unfamiliar with US prospect Amari Jones:
- Jones is ranked #4 by the IBF at middleweight entering the Gualtieri fight.
- The bout is an official IBF middleweight final eliminator at SAP Center in San Jose.
- Winner moves into position for world title shot — IBF #2 Etinosa Oliha vs #3 Aaron McKenna fighting for vacant title after Janibek stripped.
- Gualtieri is former IBF middleweight world champion, won vacant belt vs Esquiva Falcao in July 2023.
- Gualtieri has 100 amateur fights and 3 German national titles, plus 12 years amateur experience.
- Jones called it “biggest step of his career” and IBF eliminator adds “genuine pressure”.
- Gualtieri said “I will show how I will exploit his weaknesses” and Jones’ career is at risk away from home.
- Jones hasn’t faced a former world champion — Gualtieri is his first.
- Gualtieri rides 4-fight win streak since losing IBF title to Janibek Alimkhanuly by TKO in Oct 2023.
- De La Hoya said “this is a fight where the pressure is on both men to show up and deliver”.Â
You can’t just put talented prospects with undefeated records straight into world title fights.
Jones needs to be put into a fight like this to swim in some deeper waters and be tested with his boxing skill and his physical ability to withstand pressure at the highest level.
The Amari Jones world title goal is on but he must deliver in impressive fashion on Friday night in San Jose.
Winning not enough — has to win emphatically.
Here is more on the Amari Jones start time this weekend.
