Barrie Jones seemed invincible.
“The Welsh Wrecking Machine”, a 42-match pro boxing veteran, dominated opponents in winning his first 10 bare knuckle fights.
Nine of 10 opponents didn’t last the distance-seven didn’t make it out of the first round.
Police Gazette world champ Jones was then matched with BYB champion Lorawnt “Smash” Nelson, the
combat sports veteran whose career has blossomed since focusing on bare knuckle boxing.
Nelson shattered the notion of Jones’ invincibility, stopping the Welsh legend in Cardiff in August 2024.
Jones gets a chance at redemption. He faces Nelson for the second time in the co-main event at BKB 48, taking place on 22 November in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Nelson-Jones I: A War of Attrition
There were few bare knuckle fights better than Nelson-Jones 1 in 2024.
Jones let his hands go early, knocking Nelson back into the ropes. Nelson looked in danger of going down.
But “Smash” worked his way back into the fight, and started taking control by round two.
Nelson got on the inside and began attacking the body. A right downstairs dropped Jones near the halfway point of the round. After Jones arose, Nelson continued the close quarters assault. A right to the head knocked Jones down for the second time late in the round.
Sensing the fight slipping away, Jones stood and traded with Nelson before the bell sounded.
That was Jones’ last hurrah. A Nelson right dropped Jones for the third time early in round three. This time, Jones didn’t get up and was counted out.
It was a humbling moment for Jones. The Welsh hero talked about retiring in his postfight interview. He changed his mind, moving up in weight to knock out Gregorios Cisneros for the light heavyweight title. Jones spoke about rematching Nelson and the fight is now set for November. Like the first fight, the bout will be held at super middleweight with Nelson’s world title at stake.
What can Jones do differently in the sequel? Will he scrap his trademark fast start and box carefully waiting for openings? He’s the better pure boxer while Nelson has edges in toughness and stamina. At close range, Nelson had the edge in the first fight, ripping the body and head. Jones will need to improve his fighting at short range if he wants to stay on the inside.
Nelson-Jones II should be an intriguing battle. The winner could be the fighter who makes the better adjustments from the first fight.
BKB 48 Features Three World Title Fights
Nelson-Jones II is one of three world title fights at BKB 48.
The BKB heavyweight champion makes his long-awaited return in the main event. Gustavo Trujillo faces MMA and kickboxing veteran Tony Johnson.
Trujillo makes the second defence of the belt he won from Ike Villaneuva. “The Cuban Assassin” hasn’t fought bare knuckle since last December. Trujillo has focused on pro boxing this year, winning two bouts to improve his pro boxing record to 8-0. His bare knuckle record is more impressive-Trujillo is 7-0 with all wins coming by first-round stoppage. Johnson Jr will need to be well prepared to face a fighter of Trujillo’s power and pedigree.
In the other title bout, lightweight titleholder Jarod Grant faces junior lightweight king Jon Barnard in a champion vs champion showdown.
Grant (8-2 6 KOs) won the belt with a unanimous six-round decision over Jorge Perez in May. He makes his first defence against the tough Barnard (4-1, 4 KOs). Barnard was stopped by Harry Gigliotti this past February and hasn’t fought since.
BKB 48: How to Watch
BKB 48 takes place on 22 November in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Fans in the UK can catch the action on the TalkSport Boxing YouTube channel.
Fans in the US can catch the action live on Vice TV. BKB events are also shown on a tape-delayed basis on Fuse TV and BEin Sport.
