JONES ENCOUNTERS VARGAS
By Blackbull

INSIDE BOXING (July 19, 2004) - Russell “Stoner” Jones (17-11) has signed to fight Gregorio “Goyo” Vargas (45-8-1) on Aug. 26 at the San Jose State Events Center, San Jose, California. Both fighters could put themselves back into title contention with a victory.

Jones, the talented fighter from Ghana, is fresh off a victory over up-and-coming professional and amateur great Hector Saez. The win over Saez continued Jones’ comeback to boxing after a 41-month lay-off. Jones stopped boxing after a loss to Phillip N’dou on Sept.1, 2000.

Jones has connected with well-known trainer Aurelio Martinez and Lee Jordan, who both hope to rejuvenate the fighter's career.

"We feel Russell was moved into the top level of boxers just a little too soon," Martinez said.

Jones was a promising prospect with 14 wins and four losses and had won the Ghanaian Super Bantamweight Title in only his fifth professional fight.
With only 18 fights to his credit, he took on Tracy Patterson. Two fights later, he fought Joel Casamayor. He went on to challenge Zahir Raheem, Daniel Attah and Phillip N’dou. One might agree that’s a lot of grade “A” beef to take on back-to-back-to-back.

My question to Martinez was, “by taking this fight against Goyo Vargas, aren’t you doing the same thing, matching him up too strong too soon?”

Martinez responded, saying, “In a sense, yes. The difference is, we are not dealing with a 23-year-old prospect anymore. Russell does not have the luxury of having four or five years of learning and gaining experience anymore.We found this fight appealing for a number of reasons, one of them being Goyo is an aging fighter with an outstanding name. He’ll be very close to 34 when we fight. The other reasons I won’t disclose because they fit into our game plan.”

Vargas has fought only once since losing to contender Mike Anchondo on Dec. 11, 2003, and that fight was against an 11-29-4 Reggie Sanders. Vargas, like Jones, has fought top quality fighters, the difference being he’s won a few of them, including common opponent Tracy Patterson.

The winner of this fight will surely move back into contender status and should be able to land a significant bout, if not a shot at a title.

Moncayo Blackbull can be reached at blackbull@insideboxing.com or pipila00@yahoo.com