Talented youngster Jones gets his Prizefighter opportunity - 17/11/2009

TALENTED Welsh prospect Barrie Jones gets his Prizefighter chance after Barry Morrison has had to withdraw due to a viral infection.

Jones, 24, a former British Welterweight Championship contender, will be fighting for the £32,000 top prize in Prizefighter Light-Welterweights next month.

Barrie Jones (right) comes in as a late replacement for the ill Barry Morrison.

Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn believes Jones, who has won 16 of his 19 professional contests, could cause a big upset.

"We welcome Barrie Jones into the Prizefighter line-up where the format of three rounds should suit Barrie's explosive style," said Hearn.

"Despite Barrie's losing challenge to Kell Brook for the British Welterweight title, Barrie's dynamic punching will make him a betting outsider to follow in Prizefighter.

"He has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain so I'm expecting fireworks from him from the first bell."

Jones, who hails from Ferndale in Wales, won his first 15 professional contests but will be hungry to prove a point after losing to Brook in June 2008 then a hugely-controversial narrow points loss against former World Champion Souleymane M'baye later that year.

Prizefighter Light-Welterweights is the latest event in Barry Hearn's Prizefighter Series where eight men fight in a tournament over one action-packed evening.

The winner will collect £32,000 and Prizefighter Light-Welterweights takes place at the National Hall, Olympia, London on Friday, December 4.

This line-up is the strongest ever as former World Champion Gavin Rees is among the eight, as are Ted Bami, Colin Lynes and Jason Cook, who have all held European titles.

Former British Champions Young Muttley and David Barnes are also included, while undefeated youngster Michael Grant and highly-rated Jones complete a strong line-up.

Tickets cost £40 (unreserved) and £80 (reserved) and are available from See Tickets on 0870 903 9033, www.seetickets.com or from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900. All the action will also be screened live on Sky Sports.

The full list of competitors is: Ted Bami (Brixton, London), David Barnes (Manchester), Jason Cook (Maesteg, Wales), Michael Grant (Tottenham, London), Barry Jones (Ferndale, Wales), Colin Lynes (Hornchurch, Essex), Young Mutley (West Bromwich, West Midlands), Gavin Rees (Newbridge, Wales).

PartyPoker.com Prizefighter Light-Welterweights
Name: Ted Bami
Age: 31
Nickname: Dangerous
Home town: Brixton, London
Professional record: W26 (13 by KO), L5, D0. Total 31 fights.
Achievement: Former European Light-Welterweight Champion, former WBF Light-Welterweight Champion.

Name: David Barnes
Age: 28
Nickname: None.
Home town: Manchester
Professional record: W24 (11 by KO), L1, D1. Total 26 fights.
Achievement: Former British Champion at light-welterweight and welterweight.

Name: Jason Cook
Age: 34
Nickname: The Power
Home town: Maesteg, Wales
Professional record: W25 (12 by KO), L2, D0. Total 27 fights.
Achievement: Former European Lightweight Champion, former IBO Lightweight Champion.

Name: Michael Grant
Age: 26
Nickname: Mikey Spice
Home town: Tottenham, London
Professional record: W12 (1 by Ko), L0, D1. Total 13 fights.
Achievement: Former ABA Champion in 2005, undefeated as a professional.

Name: Barrie Jones
Age: 24
Nickname: -
Home town: Ferndale, Wales
Professional record: W16 (7 by KO), L3, D0. Total 19 fights.
Achievement: Fought for the British Welterweight Championship.

Name: Colin Lynes
Age: 31 (32 in November)
Nickname: Lyno
Home town: Hornchurch, Essex
Professional record: W31 (12 by KO), L6, D0. Total 37 fights.
Achievement: Former European and British Light-Welterweight Champion, former IBO Light-Welterweight Champion.

Name: Young Mutley
Age: 33
Nickname: None
Home town: West Bromwich
Professional record: W26 (13 by KO), L3, D0. Total 29 fights.
Achievement: Former British Welterweight Champion, fought for British and European light-welterweight titles.

Name: Gavin Rees
Age: 29
Nickname: The Rock
Home town: Newbridge, Wales
Professional record: W28 (14 by KO), L1, D0. Total 29 fights.
Achievement: Former WBA Light-Welterweight Champion.