LAS VEGAS – January 24, 2025 – Team USA Olympic Medalist Omari Jones, who earlier this week was announced he signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, was introduced this afternoon in Las Vegas prior to the Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson weigh-in.
Jones will make his professional debut in his Orlando hometown at Caribe Royale on Saturday, March 15, live worldwide on DAZN – as Austin ‘Ammo’ Williams returns to action and takes on Canadian Patrice Volny.
Jones won bronze at the Paris Games this past summer in the Welterweight division as the sole boxing medalist for the U.S., and now the outstanding Orlando talent will look to emulate his amateur success in the paid ranks. The 22-year-old added his Olympic prize to the silver medal he won at the 2021 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
This is what Hearn and Jones said during the introductory press conference.
EDDIE HEARN
“I watched Omari in the Olympics and I knew he had superstar potential – not just the way he fought in the ring, but the way he carried himself. When I slid into his DM’s in Paris, straight away we had a lovely cup of tea with his mom and dad.”
“I think this young man has the ability to be America’s next boxing superstar. This young man has it all. He’s an exceptional individual with amazing talent, and on March 15 the hero returns to his hometown of Orlando, Florida, which will be a huge night of boxing live on DAZN.”
OMARI JONES
“I feel like I’m ready, I feel as though I’ve made the right decision to be here with you and with Matchroom. After a lot of consideration and the conversations we’ve had I knew from the beginning I wanted to be with Matchroom. After meeting Eddie for the first time, I told my dad he might be the one. The process can be frustrating at times but after talking to my team and getting the deal done, I’m happy with the decision that I made.”
“My hometown supported me through the Olympics and even before it as well. The kids at my gym look up to me and want to follow the same route that I’m on. To be an inspiration to them is just 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 Championship when that comes.”
“I definitely 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.”
