Omari Jones, a 2024 United States Olympian and bronze medalist, contemplated another run for the 2028 Summer Games, but instead, he’s since shifted his goals to becoming a world champion by then.
The 22-year-old Orlando native Jones kicked off his professional career in winning fashion on March 15 with a second-round knockout against Alessio Mastronunzio.
The Matchroom Boxing-promoted welterweight is not wasting much time to get back into the ring, as Jones (1-0, 1 KO) returns Saturday for a scheduled six-rounder against William Jackson (13-5-2, 5 KOs). The bout will take place at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on the undercard of the welterweight title unification fight between Jaron Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis on DAZN.
“I love staying in the gym, and bouncing back quickly is not a problem,” Jones told The Ring in an interview. “I'm still learning the professional game. I feel that my skill level is ready for a lot of guys right now. We will take the next step whenever we all feel the time is right.”
Jones was interested in chasing a gold medal during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics but Eddie Hearn courted Jones in Paris to sign the prized prospect after Jones' bronze medal run concluded.
“It just showed that Eddie wanted me to be a part of Matchroom more than anybody else,” said Jones. “I believe they can make me a superstar. I have a great work ethic. We're going to go to great places, with the way I act, the way I carry myself. With all of those attributes together, I can be the next superstar.”
Olympic boxing was on the ropes before Jones made his pro debut, but the sport has since been officially reinstated back into the Summer Games program.
“It was a home game, but that would mean waiting another four years,” said Jones. “With the mission and the plan we have in place, I believe that I'll be getting to where I want to be in no time. I believe so [that I can be a world champion by 2028]. I believe it can happen sooner than that as well.”
Manouk Akopyan is a lead writer for The Ring. He can be reached on X and Instagram @ManoukAkopyan.