Nick Blackwell vs. Damon Jones: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info

Nick Blackwell will defend the British middleweight title when he faces Damon Jones in Derby, England, on Saturday night.

Both fighters will not only be eager to leave the ring as the champion, but also to impress on terrestrial television, with the bout being broadcast live by Channel 5.

Their clash tops a bill that also includes Hughie Fury, Lenny Daws and two up-and-coming fighters out of the Ingle Gym in Sheffield—Jordan Gill and Leigh Wood.

When: Saturday, July 25, 10 p.m. BST

Where: Derby Arena, Derby, England

TV: Channel 5, Spike TV

Live Stream: Channel 5 (UK, regional restrictions apply)

Champion Spirit

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Blackwell (17-3-1, 7 KOs) became British champion on his third attempt.

The Trowbridge fighter had lost to Martin Murray and Billy Joe Saunders in previous bids to get hold of the Lonsdale belt by the time he stepped between the ropes to face John Ryder for the vacant title in May.

He looked in danger of missing out again through the first six rounds, but he finished the bout in dramatic fashion in the seventh with an impressive stoppage. 

Now, with the belt in his possession, Blackwell gets the chance to be the headline act.

Promoter Mick Hennessy told Dan Barnes of the Wiltshire Times: "Fighting on terrestrial TV is a gift and the British public will get the chance to see just why Nick Blackwell is a star of the future. It can be difficult when you’re on the undercard but the card is scheduled around the top fight and that’s Nick this time."

The 24-year-old has not had it easy in his professional career. He fought Murray in just his seventh professional outing, plus he has travelled to Monaco and the Ukraine for fights.

However, his experiences have only made him hungrier for success.

Blackwell already has one eye on facing the winner of the clash between WBO champion Andy Lee and Saunders, according to Sporting Life: "They're both middleweights and they could both be future opponents for me."

For now, though, he must remain focused on the job at hand—beating Jones and retaining his belt.

Stepping Up

Jones is 13-0 (3 KOs) in his career, but this is by far his biggest test to date.

The southpaw from Leeds has yet to go beyond six rounds. The majority of the opponents he has faced so far have had losing records, though he did beat the previously undefeated Grant Cunningham last time out.

The 22-year-old got the nod on a technical decision after the fight with Cunningham was stopped in the fifth round due to a cut.

Despite the win, Jones has since told Hennessy Sports that he wasn't "really in a good place, let alone in a good frame of mind to box" against Cunningham in February following the death of his father, Gareth. 

Now, however, he can make an impact on an already congested British middleweight scene by claiming his first career title.

But, while Jones may not have fought at the same level as Blackwell so far, he does boast an outstanding amateur pedigree.

He won the 67-kilogram final at the Amateur Boxing Association finals in 2011, per BBC Sport, then turned pro at the age of 18.

Prediction

Channel 5 could be on to a winner as Blackwell rarely gets involved in dull fights.

On paper, the champion should retain his belt comfortably. He has been in with higher-calibre opponents than Jones, who is taking a serious step up in class.

However, the challenger's success in the amateurs points to an intriguing battle between a skilled boxer and a hardened fighter with a title he is desperate to defend.

Blackwell may have to come through some tough moments in the early rounds, but look for the champion to hold onto his strap with a stoppage win in the second half of the bout.