Elcock: I believe that Jones is the real deal

Brandon Jones celebrates after Saturday’s six round victory

BRANDON Jones has been branded “the real deal” by Wayne Elcock, the man now charting his career.

And the opinion of Birmingham’s Elcock is not to be sniffed out. As a pro, he captured the British middleweight title.

On Saturday, the Chelmsley Wood banger made it 10 straight wins by outpointed rough, tough and much heavier Marcos Nicolas Karalitzky over six rounds.

At Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn, the Argentinian came out hurling right hands, pressed the action and strayed from the rule-book. Head clashes and shoulder barges lost him a point in the third.

After that fiery start, 26-year-old Brandon, a former fine amateur, solved the puzzle before him and collected a 58-55 decision.

Elcock now wants him to perform on a bigger stage and at the weight where he believes “Bomber” Jones is most effective, super-middle (12st).

“My job is to look to get him out on the bigger scene,” Elcock said. “I think he can replicate what he did in the amateurs and in the amateurs he had wins over boxers like Lewis Williams and Aaron Bowen. He lost on a split decision to Callum Simpson in his last amateur fight and I thought he won it.

“At super-middle I think he can be a real force and we need fights against super-middles. I need to see him against maybe someone who Callum Simpson has boxed – that’s the best benchmark for me.

“I believe Brandon can shock a lot of people. As a super-middle, if he lands clean I can’t see many taking it. He has the power and now he’s doing it clever. I believe he’s the real deal.”

Elcock was pleased with the performance against Karalitzky.

“A tough learning fight,” he said. “Brandon gave away a lot of weight – the kid campaigns at cruiserweight. He (Karalitzky) was 13st 4lb on the day before he had anything to eat and he didn’t look like he was carrying anything, that’s why Brandon came in heavier at 12st 10lbs.

“He (Karalitzky) came to win and came out in the first round guns blazing, he was looping over with right hands. At the end of the round, Brandon listened. I told him to open his stance a bit more, he slowed him down and caught him with a lovely body shot in the third. From then on, I thought he controlled it.”