Jones returns after tragedy

By Paul Upham: Duva Boxing’s rising light-heavyweight star George “Khalid” Jones, 16-0 (12), returns to the ring after being the innocent party in the death of Beethavean Scottland last June. In a tough test, Jones will face IBF No.3 Eric Harding, 20-1-1 (6), on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. Such was Jones’ anguish at the death of Scottland, six days after their bout he gave up the sport for a time after finding it impossible to move forward from the tragedy.
“It was real difficult for me and my family. It is not easy having somebody die right in front of you,” said Jones. “I talked to a lot of family members and friends, even Bee Scottland’s family. They said it would be a let down to him not to go back. About a week after the fight I gave up fighting and I said I think I would be more happier going to school. But after talking to Bee’s family and his trainer and a couple of my family members, I decided to stick with the gym.”

The support from his own family was an important factor in Jones continuing his career. “My whole family told me whatever I want to do they are 100% behind me and that gave me a lot of force to go forward with what I’m doing,” he said.

Veteran trainer Lou Duva was very impressed with the way Jones handled himself after the tragedy. Jones travelled to Scottland’s funeral to pay his respects to the fallen fighter’s family and friends.

“They couldn’t believe that George would come down and face them and face the music so to say,” said Duva. “On the way back he said, ‘Lou, the best way I can prove myself and prove to them, I’ve got to go out there and fight and I’ve got to become champion’. I admire the guy.”

The question is always asked of a fighter after a serious injury or death of an opponent, will Jones be the same in the ring after such a tragedy? “Definitely, yes. I’m looking forward to the night on the 14th. That’s the question that a lot of people are asking,” said Jones.

“My heart is in this fight. I know Eric Harding is a warrior and I’m a warrior. I’m going to be there that night with 110% of what I’ve got. I know I’m going to be the same fighter.”

Jones has elected to take another step up in class against Harding and never gave any consideration to facing a less demanding opponent. “Why take two steps back when I’m where I need to be at. This fight is going to prove what I’m about. I don’t want no easy fights. After this fight I don’t want no easy fights, I want nothing but hard fights because I want to try to give the light heavyweight division a name,” said Jones, who revealed that he had spent time last year sparring with Harding.

“I’ve done some sparring with Eric Harding. Eric Harding is a crafty guy and warrior. He has excellent defence and excellent offence. But that night, I’m bringing a gameplan. As long as I don’t abandon my gameplan, I know it is going to be an excellent fight that night for the both of us. I know myself because I’m training extremely hard for the fight and I don’t plan on leaving nothing home that night.”

As for Harding, he remembers nothing about their sparring sessions and believes it is unimportant because both boxers have progressed since then.

“To be truthfully honest with you, I never record any sparring sessions of mine,” said Harding. “I don’t remember much about it. I just remember we sparred. I go into every fight not remembering nothing about my opponent because every fight is different.”

But Jones does remember what happened, “I do remember he has a good jab, he has a big heart, he loves to try to out hustle his opponent and that’s the same thing I bring to the table.”

Harding is on the trail of another world title shot, his loss to undisputed light-heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr in September 2000 now a distant memory, having well and truly recovered from a torn bicep that forced the stoppage of the fight in the tenth round.

“My arm is fine, it’s like nothing ever happened to it. I’ve progressed in a lot of ways, mentally and physically. Each time I get into the ring I take something out of it. I learn from every fight. I’m a lot more comfortable in the ring. I’ve learnt a lot about conditioning thanks to Al Gavin,” said Harding.

“It didn’t make me any more confident or any less confident. The fight with Roy Jones is behind me. That was then, this is a whole new year and a whole new era.”

Harding would love a rematch with Jones Jr, which may only happen if Harding can become the No.1 contender for the WBC, WBA or IBF.

“The fight with Roy Jones doesn’t look like it is going to happen. If he is real with himself, like I am real with myself he knows on any given night that Eric Harding can beat Roy Jones. I guess he don’t want to deal with that anymore so he is going to go down in weight,” said Harding, in regard that Jones may be dropping down in weight to face Bernard Hopkins some time in 2002.

Harding knows that without a win over the other Jones, George, there will be no point in talking about a rematch with the world champion. “I’m not looking past anything. I’m focused on one fight and that one fight only. Whoever wants to fight Eric Harding, they know where I’m at. I never turn down a fight. I never have and never will. Any light-heavyweights out there who want to fight me, I’m right here,” he said.

Considered by many to be the second best light-heavyweight in the world, Harding does not finding it frustrating living in the shadow of Roy Jones Jr.

“It’s not frustrating. Eric Harding is Eric Harding, Roy Jones is Roy Jones. Some people think I’m the second best light-heavyweight in the world. That don’t bother me if that’s what people think. It’s up to me to prove that I’m the best,” said Harding.

“Regardless what anybody say, I’ve been in there with the guy and I know that I can beat Roy Jones. I’m not looking forward to him going anywhere. He can stay there. If you want to be the best you have to beat the best.”

Duva Boxing is very impressed with their hard hitting southpaw and believe that Jones has a very good chance of upsetting Harding.

“George Jones who has come out of nowhere from Patterson, New Jersey, and is now one of the most talked about light-heavyweights in the world. He is trying to break into the world title picture by facing one of the best light-heavyweights in the world, Eric Harding,” said promoter Dino Duva.

“It’s a great match-up. A lot of people think Eric Harding gave Roy Jones one of the toughest fights of his career.”

Now at 34 years of age, George Jones was a late starter to the sport, but has made up for having no amateur career by spending countless hours sparring with quality professionals.

”I sparred with a lot of guys who were professional fighters. I used to walk two miles to the gym to get beat up and walked two miles back home with black eyes and a bloodied nose,” said Jones.

“I got all my knowledge of the fight game from street knowledge and watching other world class trainers like Lou (Duva) and other people like Tommy Parks.”

Lou Duva has been very impressed with the drive Jones has and is tipping him to go all the way.

“I think it is going to be a war. I think this guy has got the heart and the determination,” said Duva. “With the drive that he has got, I think he is going to be champion of the world. I really do. I really think he is a good fighter and they are going to have to go like hell to beat this guy in the ring.”

“I like the way he moves. He’ll con you and then he’ll get back with combinations at you and when he has to punch, he stands right there and goes toe to toe with you. He’s not afraid to go toe-to-toe with you.”

Jones is very confident going into this fight against a man who will give him the toughest test of his career. “I go into every fight being well conditioned. I know what I bring to the table and I know that I will bring 110% to the table on December 14,” said Jones, who says he has no trouble facing a southpaw himself.

“I’ve never found a southpaw a problem. It takes me a couple minutes to adjust, but I’ve never found a southpaw a problem.”

The Harding-Jones card will be the second of two consecutive nights of boxing in the new 10,000 seat arena at the Mohegan Sun Casino, promoted by Duva Boxing. In the main event on Thursday 13th December, local favorite “Sucra” Ray Olivier, 42-8-1 (19), will face Omar Weiss, 33-3-1 (18), from Argentina at junior welterweight on ESPN, with tickets for both cards going on sale this Friday.


Paul Upham
Contributing Editor