Underdog Jones fights local Rose Saturday in crossroads bout in UK
American Carson Jones (36-10-3, 2 KOs) takes on former world title challenger Brian Rose (26-2-1, 8 KOs) of the UK this Saturday. The main event will take place at the Winter Gardens, in Blackpool, Lancashire, United Kingdom. The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds with the vacant WBC International super welterweight title in play. Its a significant fight for both fighters with each needing a statement win to get back into serious world title contention.
Now for those who follow the odds. Jones is a significant underdog with some sports books having him at +425 to Rose who is -550 . The fact that Rose is favored is not so surprising since he is the hometown fighter. However, the fact of just how big of a favorite he is may raise some eyebrows. A well prepared and conditioned Jones should at the very least be in the fight. This will be Jones’ fourth fight in the UK in his last 6 fights. So the time difference or hometown fighter fan’s cheering against him should not be an issue. Jones’ record is very deceiving for the casual fan but the hardcore fans know that he is much better than the numbers suggest. Many of his losses came very early in his career when he took many fights on the road against in many cases more experienced opposition. Jones is now 28, in his prime, and a veteran of 10 plus years in the pro ranks. He has lost just 3 times in his last 13 fights. Two of those losses were to current unbeaten world champion Kell Brook who he lost a very close majority decision in their first fight. The 29 year old Rose’ best win to date was over former world title challenger Javier Maciel who he beat by split decision in his native UK in a world title eliminator. Where Jones fought valiently in his loss to Brook in their first fight. Rose was completely outclassed by world champion Demetrius Andrade in route to being stopped in round 7 last June. This is not to suggest that Jones is the level of fighter that Andrade is. It’s more to say that he should be at the very least on the same level of Rose. If not better.
Good article and definitely agree in that the odds are a little off. Jones needs the KO in the UK and another Draw in a closely contested fight isn’t entirely out of the question either.