By Staff
GETTING READY – Meridian's James Jones, right, trains with David McNeil in McNeil's gym in Clarke county. Jones has boxed for about 20 years and will fight for the IBO heavyweight championship Saturday in Tunica. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
Aug. 16, 2002
Boxing in Meridian is on its way up, with local boxers continue to get attention.
After a successful event at the Frank Cochran Center in late July, five local boxers will now fight in a event set for Saturday in Tunica at the Grand Casino.
According to McNeil, the invitation is a big step for the boxers as well as the area boxing program.
One of the local boxers that has seen recent success is James Jones of Meridian. Jones has been sparring with top contenders and turned some heads in the workouts.
Jones will fight for the IBO Heavyweight Championship in the main event of the night. He will be in a bout against Greg Pickrom of Houston, Texas. The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds.
Freddie Collins will also be in the feature bout of the night. He will be fighting for the Mississippi State Featherweight Championship against Antonio Smith of Tupelo.
Two area boxers will be in the first fight of the night. Meridian's Michael Moss and Philadelphia's Phillip Hammac will fight a six-round Welterweight bout to get the night underway.
Moises Martinez of Rome, Ga., will face former WBC Youth World Champion Ramon Arellano of Nashville, Tenn., in the second fight of the night. It will be a six-round Junior Welterweight bout.
After a four-round Heavyweight bout, George Burrage of Meridian will make his professional debut in the fourth fight of the night against John Phillips of Como. It will be a Heavyweight fight scheduled for four rounds.
Also fighting on the night will be Meridian's Julian Childress. He will face Demontries Webb in a four-round Heavyweight bout.