Oshae Jones says Femke Hermans bout may be ‘easiest title fight ever’

Oshae Jones isn’t one to mince words as she heads into her first title shot.

Jones, who isn’t impressed with her upcoming opponent, has gone as far as to say, “This might be the easiest world title fight ever.”

Set to face IBF women’s junior middleweight titleholder Femke Hermans in the co-feature of OTX 11 on Friday in Atlanta, Jones has made it clear she is unbothered by her opponent’s resume or skill set.

To Jones, 26, there isn’t much to see in Hermans’ game.

“Every opponent, I try to look for something good in their style,” Jones told BoxingScene. “I can’t find anything for her. Her footwork is trash. When she gets hit, she looks weak, she grabs – she just doesn’t bring anything that could really intimidate me.”

Jones, a 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, will step into the ring with a 7-0 record (3 KOs) and on a three-fight knockout streak, her latest victory coming against Simone Aparecida da Silva in July. A Toledo, Ohio, native now training in Philadelphia, Jones is unfazed by the 34-year-old Hermans’ own record (18-4, 7 KOs) and seven-fight win streak.

“She has experience in the pros, that’s it,” Jones said.

While Jones acknowledges the significance of the moment, her focus is more on a career breakthrough than any opponent standing in her way.

“It’s a big opportunity,” she said, “but my hard work is finally paying off. I feel like it’s just my time to do what I do.”

Jones has also been vocal about her journey, citing struggles to find her footing even as an Olympic medalist. “I barely got signed, didn’t get the same shots as others from my Olympics team. I had a different route, but I look at it as a positive. When you work hard for something, it’s a lot harder to lose it.

“Nothing’s been given to me,” Jones said. “As a female, especially an African American female, I feel like I’ve had to work three times as hard. So every time I step into the ring, I’m fighting with that on my mind.”

Jones is determined to make each fight a stepping stone.

“I just want to be a better boxer, a better body puncher, a better performer every time out,” Jones said. “I want to stay entertaining and stay true to my personality in the ring.”

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.