Jordan Simpson shines in pro debut, scores third round TKO at Prudential Center

Jordan Simpson had a successful first trip between the ropes as a professional, stopping the game Michael McDonald in round three on Friday night at Prudential Center.

Simpson, 25, of Middlesex, N.J. punished the 32-year-old from Missouri through three rounds before referee Harvey Dock stopped the fight early in the third round. 

It was a big platform for Simpson to be fighting on, as the three-time N.J. Golden Gloves open class champion fought second on a card headlined by former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba, live on DAZN.

Despite fighting for the first time without headgear, Simpson said it felt like another day at the office.

“Truthfully, I felt very comfortable and it’s probably due to the training that I went through, all the preparation because I felt amazing,” said Simpson, who is trained by Edgar “Butch” Sanchez, Marcos Suarez and Jose Concepcion out of True Warriors Boxing Gym.

Simpson says he was able to get his feet wet before his corner told him to wrap it up before the third.

“They were telling me certain shots that I was landing that were affecting him, and to start doing it more. So as soon as I did that, I saw it. I just kept going, keep going, keep landing those combos,” said Simpson, a former high school football player and wrestler out of Westfield, N.J.

Simpson, who is advised by Luis DeCubas Jr., says he wants to get back in the ring in the next month or so, but may have to take some time to allow a small nick on the corner of his right eyebrow to heal.