[1] His father was a collier who was also known in the area as a mountain fighter; while his mother was a housewife who looked after a large family of 12 children.

[2] Jones fought from a young age, with his father converting a downstairs room in their terraced house in New St into a gym.

His most notable fight in this early part of his career was in October 1927 against Bill Beynon, the former British bantamweight champion; although Jones took severe punishment he managed to win the contest.

These results were followed up with a challenge for the Welsh featherweight championship, with a match against the holder Billy Evans of Merthyr Tydfil.

Hill of Boxing newspaper giving the early rounds to Evans, but with Jones taking control in the later stages.