With Black History Month underway, one barrier-breaking boxing announcer received well-earned honors.
Henry “Discombobulating” Jones, celebrated as a trailblazing Black ring announcer, was recently acknowledged with a proclamation at the “Next Up” boxing card on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Southeast, D.C.
Jones has been inducted into the Washington, D.C. Boxing Hall of Fame, the Rochester (NY) Boxing Hall of Fame and his recent honor was a proclamation from the District of Columbia City Council. He also received a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I have been on this journey for 35 years,” said Jones whose voice and delivery is tailor-made for the profession. “I still remember when I first started in 1988 after I had tried and failed at a lot of things that didn’t work out. I tried to work as an actor, play-by-play commentator and even as a comedian and had eggs thrown at me one night.”
There have been some people instrumental in his journey, such as his sister, Ibena.
“I had learned how to use words effectively by studying the entire dictionary. I always said that words have power. Then my sister bought a thesaurus for me.
That played a role in his name becoming, “Discombobulating.”
Jones noted, “I listened to various ring announcers, and I decided to come up with something that was unique and different.
Thus, the “discombobulating” part of the legacy was born.
Despite his love for the sport, Jones said he didn’t even consider ring announcing at the time because he had never seen a Black man famous for it. That was when he received encouragement from another important person on his journey.
“A friend of mine told me, ‘That’s why you need to go for it and become the first African American to break through that barrier,’” said Jones, who admitted that most of his early years in the business came without any pay.
“I started out doing it for free, because I knew it was valuable to get the experience and the exposure, and I knew the money would come in the end. A lot of young guys just want the money right now, but you have to develop a passion for what you do… it eventually pays off.”
The next step in his journey came courtesy of J.D. Brown, a former boxing promoter in the District.
“He gave me my start,” declared Jones. “He said that he wanted me to be the ring announcer for Main Event.
Still, despite his rapid ascension, there were roadblocks until he met Michael Buffer, the iconic boxing ring announcer.
Jones said learning from Buffer, known for the popular phrase “Let’s get ready to rumble,” helped him develop his own unique style. By 1995, Jones had stamped his own official announcing phrase, “Are you ready to do this? Well, let’s step to this!”
But unlike Buffer, Jones faced discrimination in the business because of his skin color. Jones said he didn’t get the shot he deserved to announce a major fight until 1998 when Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, demanded in his contract that Jones serve as his announcer for a fight aired on ESPN.
“I have a ton of respect for Mark, the best flyweight champion ever. He put his career on the line for me and I will forever be grateful for such a gesture,” Jones said.
Gary “Digital” Williams, a journalist and long-time public address announcer, gives big props to Jones.
“Mr. Jones is a trendsetter,” said Williams. “What he has done for Blacks in the sport of boxing as a ring announcer is phenomenal. He has been like a mentor, big brother to me. Any honors that he receives are well deserved.”
Sharif Salim has known Jones for the length of his career. Well respected in the boxing community, he has managed several amateur and professional boxers in the DMV for many years.
“I remember him when he did his first fight,” recalled Salim. “We go way back. You could tell back then that he was going to be special. When you consider what he had to go through and yet still has managed to be a credit to the profession. He has set a standard for excellence. It is a remarkable achievement.”
At-Large City Councilman Kenyan McDuffie (I) spearheaded the efforts of recognizing Jones with the recent proclamation.
“Among the greats who have contributed to our world-renowned boxing legacy is Henry Jones, one of the finest ring announcers in the sport of boxing,” noted McDuffie “I was honored to celebrate Henry’s contributions to the sport of boxing at the Entertainment and Sports Arena, as thousands from across the region joined in the celebration of his accomplishments.”
When asked his thoughts on the recent honor, Jones said, “It is humbling when you are honored for something that you love doing and the work you have put in. I have been blessed to be able to achieve these awards.”
Despite the work he has put in and his high energy level, Jones admitted that he has begun to consider retirement sometime in the future.
“I obviously can’t do this for another 35 years. So I am planning to have auditions for ring announcers in the next few months. I will focus on the East Coast primarily,” Jones told The Informer. “This will be an opportunity for young Blacks to get an opportunity to learn what it takes to be a respected ring announcer in the profession. I would like to leave this behind as part of my legacy.”