Brian Rose planning a special Valentine's Day present for Carson Jones in Blackpool

Brian Rose has warned Carson Jones he is in the best shape of his life ahead of their WBC international light-middleweight showdown at the weekend.

The 29-year-old is aiming to get back in the world title mix after last year’s disappointment and is planning a special Valentine’s Day treat for the American.

Last summer, Rose, 26-2-1 (KO 8), saw his bid for the WBO crown ended in seven rounds by Demetrius Andrade in New York.

But he is convinced he will come out on top at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on Saturday and speaking to Sky Sports News HQ he said: "I’ve done everything right, I’ve been training for 12 weeks.

I can’t wait for Saturday night. I’m going to give Carson Jones the best Valentine’s Day present he’s ever had - and that’s a good beating.

“I can’t wait for Saturday night, I’m going to give Carson Jones the best Valentine’s Day present he’s ever had - and that’s a good beating.”

In the build-up to the bout the American, who is best remembered in the UK for his two fights with Kell Brook, branded Rose a ‘basic fighter’.

“I want him to think that, I’ve got nothing bad to say about him," added Rose. “I was at the second Brook fight and I have seen Carson fight a good few times, he's well known here and in the USA.

"He's tough, he's a come forward fighter and he comes on strong in the later rounds, which is what I do too. It's going to be a good fight, if it goes the distance it'll be a good one, he's going to walk onto my jab and I may have to take a few shots too, it's going to be good.

“I'm a big light middleweight and I feel that I am still growing into the weight now, with each fight it's a little bit more of a struggle to make light middleweight, it works in my favour him moving up but he might be quicker, so I have to look out for them things, he might not hold the power he has at welterweight though - at least I hope he doesn't.

'Basics'

“But in terms of what he said about me, it’s not true and he can find out for himself on Saturday night. I’m not going to say anything about it, I’m world class at the basics - I’m not just basic.”

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The fight was originally scheduled for January but was moved to this weekend after Anthony Crolla was attacked and forced to pull out of his title defence.

“It’s helped me,” added Rose. “Obviously what happened to Anthony was really bad, I still feel for the lad, but in terms of helping me; I’m topping the bill in my hometown, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

“So I’m really looking forward to it and it’s given me more time to prepare, I’m in the shape of my life because it has been put back.

“I had my pro debut in Blackpool and from then I defended my British title, my last defence, in Blackpool and I knocked out ex-world champion Vivian Harris in Blackpool so the Winter Gardens has great, great memories for me.

“The roof is going to come off the Winter Gardens on Saturday. It’s a huge night for my career and the fans know it, that’s why it’s going to be a packed house and the atmosphere is going to be electric."

Rose’s trainer Bobby Rimmer said: “He’s in fantastic shape, we always say he’s in great shape and in the best shape of his life, but he really is this time.

'Finished article'

“Each camp gets better and better, and Brian is almost the finished article now. What I set out for Brian Rose seven years ago, he’s almost there.

“He’s going to be a different animal in the ring against Carson Jones because there is a little fear in this fight.

He’s in fantastic shape, we always say he’s in great shape and in the best shape of his life, but he really is this time.

“Carson Jones can bang, he’s durable and he can cause upsets so that’s the best Carson Jones - and we’ve prepared for the best Carson Jones. And the best Brian Rose beats the best Carson Jones.”

Rose’s clash with Jones is part of a great night of action in Blackpool with eight determined contenders lining up for the Prizefighter Middleweights III.

There’s five unbeaten fighters risking their unbeaten records to land the trophy in local favourite Jack Arnfield, Irishman Luke Keeler, Wales’ Tom Doran, Preston’s Mick Hall and Birmingham’s Craig Cunningham.

Former finalist Cello Renda is aiming to go one better while youngsters Liam Conroy and Luke Crowcroft can give their careers a massive boost with victory. 

Lytham St. Annes’ English Lightweight champion Scotty Cardle gets a four-rounder on the bill while there’s a third pro outing for Marcus Morrison.

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