Carson Jones, the former welterweight contender, has died at the age of 38 due to complications following throat surgery.

Jones, from Oklahoma City, last fought in 2023 when he knocked out James Warren in two rounds to take his record to 44-16-3 (32 KOs). 

His peak came more than a decade before when victories over Said Ouali and Ricardo Williams led to a high-profile showdown, in Sheffield, England, with future world champion Kell Brook in 2012.

The highly regarded Brook, closing in on a shot at the IBF welterweight title, started the bout as favorite but ended the 12-round humdinger bloodied, bruised and fortunate to have been adjudged the winner via majority decision.

“This man was a true warrior and it was a pleasure sharing the boxing ring with him,” Brook posted on social media after learning of Jones’ passing. “My heart goes out to the Jones family RIP my beautiful brother.”

Jones would lose to an improved Brook when he was stopped in nine rounds the following year only to return to the UK in 2015, again in the role of underdog, to halt Brian Rose in the opening round of their junior middleweight matchup.

Jones, by now embracing his role as gatekeeper, would lose on points to Rose in the rematch, come up short against the comebacking Antonio Margarito in 2017 and lose to both Ted Cheeseman and Steven Butler the following year.

A comeback that began in 2022, and came after he won his long battle with alcohol dependency, saw him win three of four, the lone loss coming to the up-and-coming Callum Walsh.

Jones, affable and honest, struggled with his health in recent months and discovered in January he was suffering from achalasia, a rare swallowing disorder. In a social media post dated February 19, he spoke of his relief that he was about to undergo surgery.

Carson Jones, a heck of a fighter and an even better man, will be sorely missed.