MOCKA’S Boxing Club continues to have an impact, with local boxer, Donald ‘Duck’ Jones set to lead Team Victoria to Fiji this weekend.
Jones was captain of the Victorian team at the national championships earlier this year and will take the same role for the Victoria v Fiji series.
Jones, who will face the Fijian Light Heavyweight Champion in an 80kg bout, said he was looking forward to getting back in the ring again.
“It is always an honour named captain,” he said.
“I am feeling good, I have been constant with the fitness, only had a couple weeks off after nationals then got back into training.”
The bout, which is set for three three-minute rounds, will test the local, while also juggling other responsibilities supporting his Victorian teammates.
With no bouts since his trip to Perth in August, Jones said pushing himself was part of the appeal of taking on the bout.
“I just want to get that experience, fighting in different places outside my comfort zone,” he said.
“My body is all good, if I was feeling too bad, I wouldn’t have accepted it, because I wouldn’t go if I didn’t think I could win.
“It will definitely take a bit more out of me; I think it is between 70 and 80 per cent humidity when I am there.”
Jones’ local coach, Ray ‘Mocka’ McIntosh, won’t be in his corner, with Zedda Harrington, Shaun Thomas and Joe Catalucci named the Team Vic coaches.
Jones said he had worked with other coaches before and wouldn’t be deterred by McIntosh’s absence.
“I went up to Queensland earlier, and I’ve had a couple of other fights without him,” he said.
“But it is always good to have him around of course.”
McIntosh is backing Jones to be a standout during Saturday night’s bout, and said he was confident Jones had done the work required to prepare well.
“Donald has been boxing since he was 12 and this is a good experience for him,” McIntosh said.
“He is prepped up, he is right to go, and he will enjoy the moment with different coaches and different groups.”
Jones will fly out with his Victorian teammates on Thursday.
