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Boxing
Omari Jones' opponent announced for pro debut
Watch Williams vs. Volny live March 15 on DAZN
Omari Jones will take on Alessio Mastronunzio in his professional debut at Caribe Royale in Orlando on Saturday, March 15, live worldwide on DAZN.
Jones announced that he was turning pro with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom in January, and the Team USA Olympic bronze medal man will step through the ropes for the first time right on his doorstep in Orlando.
Mastronunzio (14-5 4 KOs) brings a wealth of experience to test the debutant, with the 30-year-old Italian stepping through the ropes for the 20th time in the paid ranks. The opening bell will be the 114th round in the pro game for the Rome man as Jones touches gloves for his first three-minute session out of the vest, and the 22-year-old is champing at the bit to get his career underway on March 15 in front of his people.
“My hometown supported me through the Olympics and even before it as well,” said Jones, who meets Mastronunzio over six rounds a few pounds north of the welterweight limit. “The kids at my gym look up to me and want to follow the same route that I am on. To be an inspiration to them is amazing. After I qualified for the Olympics, the first thing I thought about was how this is for the kids in Orlando to let them know they could do this too.
“My dream is to fight the best-of-the-best and right now is just the beginning of my career. The most important part is to be active and stay in the gym which I’m always doing, so I’m ready for the call for a world title when that comes.
“I feel I could be America’s next boxing superstar. It’s something I’ve worked for my whole life; it’s the same ring I’ve been fighting in for the past 14 years just in a different arena. I’m ready for the professional game and ready to step in against the big boys.”
Jones’ clash with Mastronunzio is part of a big night in the Sunshine State where Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams tops the card in his quest to get back into title contention against Patrice Volny over 12 rounds at middleweight.
Williams (17-1 12 KOs) bounced back with a 12th KO win in the paid ranks in Philadelphia in November after a brave showing against hotly-tipped Briton Hamzah Sheeraz in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in June.
‘Ammo’ is handily ranked at #6 with the WBC, #7 with the WBA and #9 with the IBF, and the Texan southpaw will be looking for an impressive victory to take a big step towards securing more massive fights at 160lbs.
Volny (19-1 13 KOs) will have other ideas though, and the Canadian will be full of confidence as he enters the bout on the back of a KO win over fellow countryman and former world title challenger Steven Butler in June in his Montreal hometown.
Further additions to the undercard will be announced soon.
