Amari “The Reaper” Jones (16-0, 14 KOs) will headline in front of a hometown Bay Area crowd against former champion Vincenzo “Il Capo” Gualtieri (25-1-1) of Germany in a twelve-round middleweight fight on Friday, May 22nd at SAP Center in San Jose, California. The event will stream live worldwide on DAZN. “It’s a different kind of energy when I’m home,” said Jones. “Different pressures, but they say pressure makes diamonds. On May 22nd you’re going to see me shine."
"My goal is to become world champion again,” said Gualtieri, who had a very brief title reign in 2023. “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.“
“It’s been nearly 20 years since we’ve brought Golden Boy to the Bay Area, and we’re coming back with a stacked show,” said Oscar De La Hoya, the CEO of promoter Golden Boy Promotions. “With one of our must-watch fighters, Amari Jones, headlining against former world champion Vincenzo Gualtieri, this is a fight where the pressure is on both men to show up and deliver to fight fans.”
Jones combines power with a composed, versatile style. He made a strong statement in his most recent outing, stopping Luis Arias after Arias declined to continue following the third round of their scheduled ten-round bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, reinforcing his reputation as a dangerous finisher. Since turning professional in April 2021, Jones has compiled an undefeated 16-0 record with 14 knockouts, showcasing his skills across the United States, Australia, Mexico and Equatorial Guinea. His ability to switch fluidly between orthodox and southpaw stances adds another layer to his game, making him a difficult puzzle for opponents.
In June 2025, Jones signed with Golden Boy Promotions, a pivotal step to elevate his profile and expand his opportunities on a global stage. He made an immediate impression in his Golden Boy debut, scoring a third-round knockout over Shady Gamhour at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on the undercard of Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin in November 2025. Before entering the professional ranks, Jones built a strong amateur foundation, winning multiple national titles and consistently testing himself against top competition. Now training under respected coach Virgil Hunter, he continues to refine his craft. Representing Oakland, California, Jones brings together natural athleticism and a rugged edge that gives him a distinctive presence in the ring.
Gualtieri is a German middleweight contender and former IBF world champion with a professional record of 25-1-1, including 8 knockouts. Gualtieri made his biggest breakthrough when he captured the vacant IBF middleweight world title in a major upset, earning a unanimous decision victory over Brazil’s Esquiva Falcão. Gualtieri’s reign was tested about 100 days later, where he faced unbeaten champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly in an IBF and WBO title unification bout, ultimately coming up short via sixth-round TKO. Since that defeat, “El Capo” has rebounded, putting together a four-fight winning streak as he works his way back into title contention and re-establishes himself among the top names in the middleweight division.
Also on the card, cruiserweight Robin Safar (19-0, 13 KOs) will return in a twelve-round fight. His opponent will be Yamil Alberto Peralta (18-1-1). Safar grew up in the Stockholm, Sweden suburb of Visättra, where he faced a challenging environment that shaped his resilience and drive. He discovered boxing at 19 as a way to change the direction of his life, and under the guidance of trainer Ibn Cason, he has developed into a standout professional with an undefeated record of 19-0, including 13 knockouts.
Safar's summer of 2024 saw a breakthrough victory over former light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In March 2025, he made his Golden Boy debut with a fifth-round TKO win over Roberto Silva in Cancun, Mexico, and followed it up with a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Derrick Miller Jr. on the undercard of Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin at Dickies Arena.
