Standing at an imposing 6ft 6’ in height, the 29-year-old Welsh powerhouse has come a long way since fighting in his first television fight on the undercard of the Lauren Price/Jessica McCaskill WBA, IBO & Ring Magazine World Welterweight bout at the Utilita Arena, Cardiff last year.
Whilst the flamboyant fighter’s infectious personality is the real draw, it is just one of Jolly’s qualities, and many within the industry believe that the roofer by day has the potential to be a real star of the industry.
“I’m just bringing a little bit of jazz to boxing,” explains Moses with a beaming smile.
“I bring the culture, diversity, unity, and character in mind, body, and soul.
“The [Native] fans are always dancing. I see them, and in all fairness, the journey would not be the same without their support.
“David [John, Jolly’s coach] has always told me to express myself.
“So, I dance through boxing [in victory]. It’s a combination of martial arts and dancing – and everything in between.”
Whilst jovial in persona, make no mistake, this is a man who takes in every word with a steely determination to succeed and be the best in all aspects of life.
Undefeated at 11-0 and up to 18 in the Box Rec British rankings, Moses reflects back on a year of learning as he patiently awaits his next test that will take him one step closer to reaching his dreams.
“I feel like I am in a good place in my Boxing,” continued Moses.
“If I were to say anything to rush or push anything on an agenda that isn’t in the whole team’s thought, then I feel like I’m overriding people who have put a lot of time and effort into making sure things go as they should.”
For Moses, working with his team of renowned promoter and manager Mickey Helliet and coach John is slowly getting the Crofty man towards the levels needed to become Wales’ first heavyweight champion.
“In that fight [against Belgian, Amine Boucetta] I allowed the pressure to get to me and let it weigh on my shoulders so I couldn’t express my skillset completely with a change of tempo.”
“It was more attack, attack, attack. No defence and not much thought going into it.
“I felt a lot of pressure, not just because it was televised, but because leading up to the fight, I was at work and finishing late.
“I was trying to get the time to go to the gym, and I had missed some sessions. I would be up on a roof in the nighttime in the dark, which is not the smartest thing to do before a fight.
“At the same time, the pressure added to it. It was make-or-break – do you handle it? or do you crack under the pressure? The experience allowed me to overcome a challenge that I’ve never had before.”
Moses believes that sparring with the very best in recent times has improved various parts of his skillset and thinks that the long hours of training are starting to pay off.
“I’m training two/three times a day. Strength and conditioning in the morning, I’m going to work and then I’m going to the Boxing gym to do my technical work, before going to the field to do my sprints and explosive work.”
“All in all, it’s 12-hour days, and I barely have time to see my family.
“I feel we are at the point now where I should be challenging at a higher level. I have sparred with Olympians and World Champions, and I have found I can keep up with them.
“It is not to say I will beat them in a fight – sparring is different, it is there to learn. The more rounds you do, the more you learn and equip yourself.
“Over the years, I have sparred with various professionals, and whereas before I was trying to keep up with them, it is more I feel like I am on par with them to a certain degree now.
“I have had different categories of learning which have provided great experience.
“Joe Joyce was very relentless; he would always walk in [towards me]. You would have to move around and position yourself correctly to make sure you’re not coming on to any of his heavy punches.
“[Daniel] Dubois is more poised, collected and calculated with his punches. I feel like he will try and get you to the ropes and will look to break you down.
“Hughie Fury was my favourite to spar with. Everyone was really great and accommodating. He has a very nice style. He is very fast, and he can switch. He has a very quick ring IQ.
“I tried to switch it up to be quick, but with his footwork, he slowed me down. It was a very good learning experience.
“When I sparred with Daniel Dubois in Shane McGuigan’s gym, his father Barry was there, and he said to me that the best experience you are going to get is in sparring.
“In all fairness, the man knows his boxing because that is where I find the best experience in, the rounds upon rounds.”
Most recently, Moses has been away in the Cayman Islands, where he came back with the NBA America’s Heavyweight belt despite the disappointment of Dagenham-based orthodox Franklin Ignatius pulling out of a scheduled fight.
“It was my first time out there and I enjoyed the experience.”
“Mikey [Heillett] came to me. He spoke with the promoter out there, Mike Lawrence, who put the show together.
“He asked us to fight out there against a heavyweight he wanted us up with and we ended up going top of the bill.
“We were expecting a harder opponent, such as Ignatius (9-1-1), but he didn’t make it to the fight. Hopefully, we can get him in the future.”
Jolly’s explosive offense would be too much for Colombian John Cortez (16-14-1), sending the Barcelona-based fighter to the floor within a minute of the bout.
“I train really hard for these fights, and I had expected longer.”
“The last fight was supposed to be a ten-rounder, and it only lasted a round. I was expecting four or five. That is why I won a belt; it was meant to be against a notable opponent.
“I would love to be in the position to fight for World titles, become Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World and set a new record for Wales in being their first heavyweight champion.
“At the same time, I know I have to pay my dues and enjoy the journey as it is. I am blessed to be where I am and going where I am going with the team I have behind me.
“It has been such a good journey so far, and to know that I am on the right path, with the right strategy and set plan in motion – I feel all will come soon enough.”
So, what is next up for Team Jolly, I ask, and will there be any new celebratory moves added to his repertoire?
“We are also looking to fight on home turf soon – that would be great.”
“I have had a lot of people asking when am I going to be fighting in Swansea and Cardiff, which is exciting.
“Either we will have something the end of this year, or the beginning of the next, I believe that eventually I will be fighting for the British title.
“I believe that we have a few fights lined up towards the end of the year. There is a possibility that we could go back out to the Caymans [Islands].
“That is the goal, win a title– then maybe in two or three year’s time it may be a World shot. If they give me that option.”
“Regarding moves, if anyone has any suggestions, throw them my way – I am willing to update the dance and put in some new grooves and moves.”
To read more about Moses Jolly and why he is known as ‘the Native’ click here
[Lead image: Moses Jolly]
