What a fight - Troy to face prospect Lapin

Troy Jones…on major Manchester bill. Picture: Manjit Narotra/BCB

WHAT a fight…big punching Troy Jones again rolls the dice against a fighter with a fearsome reputation.

The Birmingham raised, Tamworth based big-punching light-heavy will meet unbeaten Eastern European hope Daniel Lapin on November 1 at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena.

The show, screened on DAZN, is topped by another light-heavyweight blockbuster – Joshua Buatsi versus Derbyshire’s talented Zach Parker.

The bill may be taking place a handful of days before November 5 celebrations, but fireworks can be expected. It has aptly been given the working title “Lights Out”.

There’s a lot to like about 27-year-old Jones: he hits hard, loves a tear-up and, away from the ring, is a larger-than-life character.

He gained the English title by outpointing Leon Willing 12 months ago and has established himself as a big show, arena performer.

That’s understandable: his style makes for exciting TV.

Last time out, Troy suffered his first defeat after 12 straight wins, dropping the decision to hot prospect Ezra Taylor.

Troy was to have warmed-up for November’s date with a small hall bout at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, next week.

That show has now been cancelled and, instead, he fights in Manchester on Saturday.

In 28-year-old Lapin, born in Poland, based in the Ukraine, he faces another prospect tipped for stardom.

Like Ukrainian heavyweight Vladyslav Sirenko, unbeaten in 22 before being outclassed by Warley’s Solomon Dacres last month, Lapin’s record may be deceiving.

Lapin – at 6ft 6ins, exceptionally tall for the weight – has peeled off 12 straight wins, yet struggled last month against Southampton’s Lewis Edmondson and scraped a majority decision.

If there are flaws, Jones will find them out.

“He’s a great boxer, but a weak fighter,” Troy told me. “It doesn’t matter what you do in the gym, if you’ve got quit in you, it stays in you. And if you’ve got it in you, I’m the wrong person to face.”

Jones is a work in progress. In the beginning, he was a “take one to land one” slam-bang type. Now he’s developing the savvy needed at the very top.

“One hundred per cent I’m a better fighter than the one who won the English title,” he added, “physically, mentally. I’ve learned more about myself over the 10 round distances.

“I’ll always be excited – I was that from the start. Now it’s about doing what you do in sparring.”

Jones has always had the bravery and power. Now he wants to prove he’s got a champion’s boxing brain.