CHRIS JONES A BOXING REFEREE

by Ralph Oates

In this month’s boxing column, I have interviewed Chris Jones who very kindly answered a series of questions about the sport.

Ralph Oates

Where in Wales were you born?

Chris Jones Swansea.

Ralph Oates

When did you become a referee?

Chris Jones

I started as a Referee on the Kickboxing, MMA and WhiteCollar Boxing circuit scene initially around 2005. I later went on to become an Official with the British Boxing Board of Control in February 2015.

Ralph Oates

What first drew you to boxing?

Chris Jones

I remember as a youngster watching the ITV Saturday Fight Nights with the likes of Nigel Benn vs Chris Eubank and then was really engrossed and fully into the sport through watching and loving Prince Naseem Hamed.

Ralph Oates

Did you ever box be it amateur or professional?

Chris Jones

My background was in Karate and Kickboxing from a really early age at Spatz Gym where I went on to fight professionally with 8 wins, 4 losses and a Welsh title. I trained at Premier ABC in Swansea to compliment my training and to improve my punching technique.

Ralph Oates

Which stance did you box, southpaw or orthodox?

Chris Jones

I was an orthodox boxer with a lead hand left hook that followed the right cross, my favourite punch.

Ralph Oates

Have any members of your family ever boxed?

Chris Jones

My Dad had two amateur bouts when he was in his early 20s, as he was good friends with Nigel Page and Valo Maccarenelli (Former Pro Boxers from Swansea), but my Dad’s cousin (who would go to be my coach / sensei through my training) was Gus Gilbert and he was a World Champion Kickboxer.

Ralph Oates

Which is your favourite weight division?

Chris Jones

I used to box between 78kg and 82kgs so always compared myself with the Super Middle and Light Heavyweight fighters. I used to compare my size, attributes and style to firstly Chris Eu-bank, Joe Calzaghe, Steve Collins era, but in my fighting days, more to George Groves, James DeGale and Carl Froch.

Ralph Oates

Who is your favourite old-time boxer?

Chris Jones

Roy Jones Jnr. What he could do in the ring was outstanding and I have sat down in his com-pany and he is a real fountain of knowledge.

Ralph Oates

Who is your favourite modern boxer?

Chris Jones

Although he’s retired and not strictly modern, I was a big fan of Mikkel Kessler (apart from when he boxed Joe Calzaghe). I liked his aggression, his power and accuracy and his fighting spirit. An Excellent Boxer and Fighter!

Ralph Oates

Who did you feel is the best boxer to have emerged from Wales?

Chris Jones

It would have to be Joe Calzaghe. His record speaks for itself, but how he could change and adapt his boxing from Plan A, Plan B and so on, which completely bamboozled his opponents. Add his relentless fitness. Not many boxers in the world could compete with that.

Ralph Oates

Who do you think has the potential to become the next world title holder from Wales?

Chris Jones

It would be unfair for me to select a current/future Welsh boxer, as I may be an official for them and wouldn’t want to show any signs of favouritism.

Ralph Oates

In the past championship fights were held over 15 rounds but reduced to 12. Do you feel there is any disadvantage in 12 rounds?

Chris Jones

I don’t see it being a disadvantage. I believe over 12 rounds, there is amicable time for boxers to show their quality boxing skills and aim to finish their opponent.

Ralph Oates

Do you feel that boxing would be better if it had just one world boxing authority rather than four - WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO?

Chris Jones

Having one overall governing body for Boxing would certainly appeal more to the general sports fans (or casuals) as it can get really confusing with numerous world champions at a certain weight.

Ralph Oates

Do you feel that the rounds in women’s boxing should be increased to three minutes or keep it at two-minute rounds?

Chris Jones

I do think the round increase to 3 minutes would be a correct thing to do. The training and the professionalism around women’s boxing are pretty much on par with the men’s and they should be allowed to be on parity with the men. This is a model that works within MMA and I think if it

is trailed, it’ll be a success in Boxing.

Ralph Oates

Which is the most exciting fight that you have witnessed to date?

Chris Jones

I was in the audience to watch the Chris Ware vs Frankie Borg bout. I am a friend of Chris’s and the atmosphere that evening for Chris to go on and win the Welsh middleweight title was Elec-tric. From a Referee perspective, the Andrew Selby vs Adam Yahaya in Newport. People might be shocked by that, as I stopped the contest in the 2nd round, but being that close to watch An-drew Selby’s footwork, movement, angles of punching, it was the sweet science to perfection.

Ralph Oates

Can you name two of your favourite boxing films?

Chris Jones

Always have been and always will be a fan of the Rocky films, especially Rocky 4 and the train-ing montage but also Raging Bull is a great film and Robert De Niro plays Jake La Motta excellently.

Ralph Oates

When away from boxing what hobby do you participate in?

Chris Jones

I enjoy training and the outdoors, particularly long walks all around the Welsh Coastal Path with a great group of friends known as the Mad Ramblers. I have lots of different commitments, but I try to make as much family time as possible and we do lots of activities as a family.

Ralph Oates

What is the best advice you have ever been given in regard to the sport of boxing?

Chris Jones

For me and in my role/capacity of refereeing and scoring boxing, I was told by Ben Cartlidge (a judge with the UFC) to never stop practicing. Whenever time allows me, I do watch boxing bouts and score them as I would, with the volume on mute, and I’ll keep practicing because you never get to become a perfect official, but you should work damn hard to get as close to it as possible.

Ralph Oates

Are you involved in any other sports?

Chris Jones

I enjoy football and I’m part of the security team for Swansea City, Cardiff City and the Football Association of Wales. It’s always an interesting contrast on how a Boxing event is managed compared to a football game.

Cardiff Times would like to thank Chris for taking the time to answer the various questions put to him.

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