Belated congratulations to renowned ring announcer and DC Boxing Hall of Famer Henry "Discombobulating" Jones. The following is a great story from Fightnews.com's Jose Santiago:
Last Friday night during the Georgia Boxing Championship card in Atlanta GA, promoters Greg Barckhoff of Sportsfan Properties along with Shea Bailey of Shea Bailey Promotions honored ring announcer Henry “Discombobulating” Jones with a lifetime achievement award. Jones is often seen across the country at different fight cards announcing. He as been seen on USA Tuesday Night Fights, ESPN and HBO over the past 21 years. He was the first ring announcer at Radio City Music Hall, has announced in Madison Square Garden, Trump Taj Mahal, Constitution Hall, Philly’s Blue Horizon, and other famous venues. He has received Mayoral Proclamations from Washington DC, Maryland, and NY for being the “first prominent African-American Ring Announcer in history. He was recently inducted into the Washington DC Boxing Hall of Fame, the only ring announcer ever to be so honored.
Employed as a Masters Social Worker with the Washington DC Government Dept. of Human Services since ’82, Jones works with teen parents receiving TANF (Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families), to assist them to become self-sufficient, and is also a representative for the Mayors Fatherhood Initiative, assisting young fathers to become empowered to provide for their children.
Jones is an accomplished Author of an inspirational novel, “It’s More Than A Notion!”, which tells about overcoming great adversity through developing even greater character and faith. The Foreword was written by his mentor, ring announcer Michael Buffer of the trademark “Let’s get ready to Rumble!” fame. Schools around the country use his book as a supplemental text on Life Lessons. A documentary is in the works and a movie script is being developed based on his book. Jones can also be seen on the renown HBO series, THE WIRE, episode #57.
His impact goes beyond boxing as he has created several educational initiatives for young men through his “CHAMPS or chumps!” program, connecting students with Scholarships, Internships, Employment opportunities, and other resources as needed to empower them to “score their own Knockouts in Life!” in order to become successful.
Recognizing his positive impact not only in boxing but to society as well is what prompted Barckhoff and Bailey to honor Jones in front of a sold out crowd. The presentation was emceed by Fightnews correspondent Jose E. Santiago.
Jones is father to 29 yr old Hejira, 25 yr old Rasaan, 15 yr old adopted daughter Zameria, and Grandfather to 10 yr old Taajera.
A special congratulation goes out to Henry “Discombobulating” Jones.
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