Overview
- Jones dropped former IBF champion Vincenzo Gualtieri twice and the referee stopped the fight 2:29 into the third round on May 22, improving Jones’ record to 17-0 with 15 knockouts.
- The win makes Jones the leading IBF mandatory challenger for the vacant middleweight title after Janibek Alimkhanuly was stripped following a positive test for the banned substance meldonium.
- The bout was staged at the SAP Center in San Jose, promoted by Golden Boy and broadcast on DAZN, giving Jones major exposure that can affect matchmaking and commercial interest.
- Notable undercard outcomes included Robin Sirwan Safar winning a split decision to claim the WBC Silver cruiserweight title, Darius Fulghum stopping Yoanki Urrutia, and Tristan Kalkreuth scoring a sixth-round knockout.
- As the IBF mandatory, Jones is now positioned to be next in line for a world-title fight, which could produce a near-term step up in competition and earnings for the 24-year-old from Oakland.