Team USA Olympic medalist Omari 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 announced that he had signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom this week, and the 22 year old will step through the ropes for the first time in the paid ranks right at home in Orlando.
Jones added a bronze medal from the Paris 2024 games to the silver medal he won at the 2021 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, and after a glittering amateur career, the Orlando starlet, who graduated from Valencia College in Orlando with an Associate Degree in General Studies with business focus in December, is excited to be making his pro debut right on his own doorstep.
“I’m very excited to be fighting in my hometown of Orlando,” said Jones, whose opponent over six rounds will be announced soon. “After fighting so many years overseas getting prepared for the Olympics, I’m ready to make my debut as a professional. I’ll be putting on a great performance for my city. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“What fans can expect from me on March 15 is a masterclass. I want to showcase my skillset along with my speed and power. I want to leave the fans shocked, because of how well I adapt to the professional game; I’ll look like a true veteran. For everything else, they’ll have to wait until March 15th!”
Williams (17-1 12 KOs) bounced back with a 12th KO win in the paid ranks in Philadelphia in November after a brave showing against hotly-tipped Briton Hamzah Sheeraz in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in June.
‘Ammo’ is handily ranked at #6 with the WBC, #7 with the WBA and #9 with the IBF, and the Texan southpaw will be looking for an impressive victory to take a big step towards securing more massive fights at 160lbs.
Volny (19-1 13 KOs) will have other ideas though, and the Canadian will be full of confidence as he enters the bout on the back of a KO win over fellow countryman and former World title challenger Steven Butler in June in his Montreal hometown.
“Ten years ago, I was blessed with a dream, a dream that spelled out boxing in strobe lights,” said Williams, who meets Volny over 12 rounds at 160lbs. “At that moment, I committed myself to existence through this medium. Every ounce of my focus and energy has been dedicated to achieving this goal. And here we are, announcing the premier of the 'Ammo Show’.
“The greatness I exude in my shows, will serve as inspiration to the global community. The supernatural abilities displayed will allow the wanderer to wander. The viewer will be assured that the unbelievable, is possible. March 15 marks the beginning of my life, the art I brought into this world is now ready to be displayed.
“I would like to thank, Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing, Peter Berg, Sam Katkovski, Kevin Cunningham, my entire family, and so many more, for making this dream, a reality. There will be laughter, there will be tears, there will be an explosive finish in Orlando.”
“This is a fight I specifically asked my team for,” said Volny. “I want to thank Matchroom for making it a reality. I believe its a great fight and a logical next step in my career to get where I want to be. It's a great opportunity for me and on March 15, I intend on seizing that opportunity and showing that I belong at the top of the Middleweight division. I will make him pay every second of this fight. Time to go to war!”
“I’m delighted that Omari will be making his pro debut in Orlando,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s so important to build fighters in their home towns and give them the opportunity to become a household name right in their own backyard. I’ve said that Omari has all the tools to become a superstar in the States, and on March 15 he has the perfect platform to stake an early claim to that.
“It’s a big night for Ammo too. He bounced back brilliantly in Philadelphia and is brimming with confidence that he is ready for these big nights, but Patrice sees this as a massive opportunity of his own, and will be a dangerous customer on March 15.”
Further additions to the undercard will be announced soon.
