Nick Jones, The Jackson, Mississippi, native played football at Northeastern State in Tahlequah, then decided in 2010 — at the age of 24 — to do some boxing gym work in an effort to stay in shape.

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    “I got good at it,” he explained, “and then I wanted actual fights because I’m a competitor.”

After a 30-fight amateur career, Jones turned professional. He now resides in Bristow and is trained by Keith Reed at the Reed Family Foundation gym in Tulsa. On Nov. 12 in Oklahoma City, Jones captured the USA Boxing-sanctioned Oklahoma heavyweight title with a majority-decision victory over previously unbeaten Wayne Heath of McLoud.

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    The 30-year-old Jones is 4-0 as a professional and plans to fight again in January. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, he outpointed the 279-pound Heath at Remington Park Racing and Casino.

“I didn’t start in the sport until I was 24, so I still feel very strong,” Jones said. “I’ve still got a lot of gas in the tank. I want to see how far I can take this.”

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Bill Haisten

918-581-8397

bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com

Twitter: @billhaisten