17.10.06 – Philadelphia, PA—Hall-of-Fame promoter J Russell Peltz today announced the signing of five local fighters, two of them undefeated. “I’m determined to make the New Alhambra a viable name in boxing in the country,” said Peltz, who began in 1969 at the Blue Horizon, and took shows first to the Arena, then to The Spectrum, helping those buildings become world-class fight venues.
Topping the list is a pair of unbeaten welterweights, power-punching Mike Jones and slick southpaw Kaseem Wilson, both of North Philadelphia.
Jones, 23, has won all four of his fights by knockout, including one over former New York Golden Gloves champion Jason Thompson. The 6-foot Jones has been a pro less than one year. No one has lasted beyond the second round.
“Punchers are what make the boxing world go ‘round,” says Peltz. “They bring people in the door. I know it’s early and I could be getting carried away, but when I look at Mike with his massive shoulders and back, I see turnstiles clicking. He looks like a young Thomas Hearns.”
Wilson, 21, a is 5-0-1, 2 K0s.
“Kaseem is the opposite,” says Peltz. He’s a solid technician and he has fought quality prospects in Jason Champion, Martin Wright, Wes Hobbs and Hector Rosario.
“Philly has had its share of good lefties. You can go all the way back to Lew Tendler. More recently, there was Tyrone Everett, Gary Hinton, Robert Hines. Not bad company.”
Peltz also teamed up with lightweight Kevin Carmody, whose 7-7-2 record belies his ability.
“Here is another young fighter, only 20 years old, who has never had a promoter looking out for him,” said Peltz. “Kevin has boxed five times against undefeated fighters and only one of his 16 opponents had a losing record at the time he boxed them. Only three of his 16 fights have been in the Philadelphia area.”
Jones, Wilson and Carmody are scheduled to appear in six-round fights Nov. 17 at the New Alhambra in South Philadelphia.
South Philadelphia’s Larry Robinson, trying to make a decision between boxing as a cruiserweight or as a heavyweight, also has joined up with Peltz. Star Fight Productions, of Tampa, FL, is co-promoter with Peltz.
Robinson, 30, has a 7-1 pro record, 5 K0s, after a seven-fight amateur career.
“Larry can punch,” says Peltz. “He needs experience. He’s boxing Harold Sconiers on Nov. 10 in Tampa, FL, for Aaron Jacobs. That will tell us a lot. Sconiers has had over 30 fights against some of the best. It’s scheduled for six and I expect Larry to do well.”
Cruiserweight Glenn Turner, who doubles as a nightclub bouncer, also recently signed with Peltz Boxing. Turner is 8-3-3, 2 K0s.
“Glenn has good bloodlines—his uncle (Dick Turner) was a welterweight contender in the early 1960s,” said Peltz. “Glenn is 36; he’s a late bloomer. With renewed dedication, he should have a solid career.”
Turner is set to box Oct. 27 in Aston, PA.