Oakland boxer hopes to revitalize Bay Area boxing scene

Undefeated middleweight boxer Amari Jones is set to make a splash this Saturday in a highly anticipated main event at the Oakland Marriott.

At 22 years old, Jones takes great pride in representing both his hometown of Oakland and the broader Bay Area on the boxing stage. "Representing Oakland, and the Bay Area at large, is a big deal for me. There isn’t a lot of boxing coming out of this area," he noted.

Training out of his Pittsburg-based gym, the Lions Den, Jones is determined to shift that narrative. "When I was coming up in boxing here, there weren’t many fighters. Andre [Ward] was a standout, but after his retirement, boxing in the Bay Area felt like it was in a dry spell," Jones explained.

With the support of his team and trainer Joseph Peres, Jones is set on revitalizing the local boxing scene. Peres shared, "This Saturday marks the start of a new era. Lions Den Boxing Promotions is putting on a major show in Oakland with headliner Amari Jones, co-main event Gabriel Garcia, and an incredibly stacked undercard."

Peres also underscored the role of dreams and discipline in boxing. "We all have dreams, and the goal is to dream big. We want to help these boxers believe they can achieve anything, but discipline comes first," he said.

Jones, a national champion as an amateur, attributes his focus and success to his disciplined approach. "I want the youth to see someone like them making it. I hope they can relate and be inspired," he said.

With a perfect record of 12 wins and 11 knockouts, Jones is looking forward to the fight. "This fight is about more than just this event. I’m aiming for something bigger," he added.

The fight at the Oakland Marriott is set to be a landmark event for boxing, with tickets available online or at the venue.