LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 21: Amari Jones celebrates his middleweight bout victory against Luis Arias at T-Mobile Arena on February 21, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images) | Getty Images Middleweight prospect Amari Jones will headline a May 22nd Golden Boy show in San Jose opposite former champion Vincenzo Gualtieri.Jones (16-0, 14 KO), 23, sits at no. 4 in the IBF’s rankings despite facing a level of opposition that could charitably be called age-appropriate. He was last seen beating the faded Luis Arias on the Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia undercard, making this a considerable step up in class on paper.“It’s a different kind of energy when I’m home,” Jones said.
“Different pressures, but they say pressure makes diamonds. On May 22, you’re going to see me shine.”IBF no. 5 Gualtieri (25-1-1, 8 KO) handed Esquiva Falcao his first defeat to earn the IBF middleweight title in 2023, setting up a unification bout with WBO champ Janibek Alimkhanuly three months later. Alimkhanuly wound up smoking Gualtieri in six rounds, which prompted Gualtieri to retreat to Germany and rack up a quartet of wins.“My goal is to become world champion again,” Gualtieri said.
“I’m looking forward to this fight because it gives me that opportunity. I will give everything to achieve this goal again, for my family and for myself.”The winner should find himself within spitting distance of a title shot. The belt currently sits vacant due to Alimkhanuly’s failed drug test; Etinosa Oliha and Aaron McKenna have until the end of the month to come to terms for a crack at the belt.Cruiserweight Robin Safar (19-0, 13 KO) returns to action in the co-feature, taking on TBA after missing out on a shot at “Zurdo” Ramirez.