MIKE JONES FACT SHEET
• Upcoming fight: June 25 vs. Raul Munoz (21-13-1, 16 KOs) at South Philly Arena (7 W. Ritner St): Jones: “This fight means a lot to me, obviously, because I’m back home for the first time in more than two years. I want to look my best when I’m at home, just like I do when I’m anywhere else.
“It’s kind of a different feeling when you’re at home, because you really want to perform. Like Manny Pacquiao says, I want to do it for the fans. That’s what I want to do. I want to look my best for the fans. I want to look great in there.”
• June 25th fight will be his first fight in Philadelphia since his March 6, 2009 second-round knockout over Dairo Esalas at the Blue Horizon. It also will be his 13th fight overall in his hometown and his 12th at this venue (South Philly Arena, formerly New Alhambra)
• 28 years old (April 26, 1983)
• Nickname: Machine Gun
• Born in Philadelphia (Mt. Airy section; now lives in Frankford section of Philadelphia)
•Turned pro in December, 2005, at the same arena he’s fighting in on June 25 (then called the New Alhambra); 5-1/2 years as a pro
•24-0, 18 KOs (75% KO %)
• Height: 6’0”…Reach: 72”
•Ranked #1 welterweight by WBO behind superstar Manny Pacquiao; also rated #2 by WBA, #3 by the IBF, #5 by the WBC
• WBC Continental Americas, NABO & NABA welterweight champion
• Has fought as a welterweight (147 lbs.) his entire career
• Rounds boxed: 108 (4.5 rounds per fight)
• First-round KOs: 5
• Trainer: Vaughn Jackson, of Philadelphia (Jones’ only trainer since turning pro; Jones was trained by Joe & Marvis Frazier as an amateur). Jackson on Jones: “Mike’s getting better every day. You never catch him out of shape and he’s never had any bad habits. Mike will be a great champion.”
• Managed by: Doc Nowicki & Jim Williams (also his cutman); Nowicki on Mike Jones: “Mike will be a world champion within the next 6-9 months because he lives and breathes boxing. When he wakes up in the morning his first thought is ‘what do I have to do today to make myself better.’ And that is how he thinks every morning. He lives to box and to be a world champion.”
• Promoters: Peltz Boxing Promotions, Top Rank and Joe Hand Promotions; J Russell Peltz on Jones: “Mike Jones needs to stay busy. He cannot fall into the habit of waiting for HBO or Showtime or pay-per-view fights. That’s the problem with many of today’s fighters; they won’t fight unless they can make a score. The old-timers fought to pay their bills and to learn their craft. Experience is the key here and Mike needs it and the best part is that Mike understands this.”
• Top Rank’s Bob Arum on Jones: “We have known Russell Peltz for years and he is a true boxing promoter. Look at the job he has done with the career of Mike Jones, who is now co-promoted by Top Rank and ready to break out as a big star in the welterweight division. Mike is an exciting fighter with size and a lot of power.”
• Joe Hand, Sr. on Jones: “In my forty years in the business, I have seen many champions come along. Mike Jones has all the makings of a great champion. So sit back and enjoy the ride.”
• Last two fights: Decision wins vs Jesus Soto-Karass on Nov. 13, 2010, in Arlington, TX (co-feature to Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito pay-per-view title fight); Feb. 19, 2011 in Las Vegas (co-feature to Fernando Montiel-Nonito Donaire title fight on HBO). Jones: “Both fights with Soto-Karass were big learning experiences which will get me ready for bigger fights down the road.”
•His feelings about fighting for a world title (probably within the next 2-3 fights): “I think that two, really tough-name fights down the road after this one, and then, I’ll be ready for a title shot and I’ll be ready to take the title. Until then, I’m looking to take on anybody that is in the top 10. That’s who I want.”
• Mentor: Bernard Hopkins (who trains at the Joe Hand Gym, where Jones also trains at); Hopkins told Jones after the first Soto-Karass fight, Nov. 13, 2010: “You’ve got to use your jab and you’ve got to keep your distance and don’t give these guys no chance of winning the fight when they don’t have none. You want to have longevity in this game, so use your jab, stick it to them from behind that jab, and send that right hand straight down the pipe. Don’t give these guys any chance of winning!”
• His dad, Michael Jones, Sr. has had diabetes for a while and suffered several strokes both conditions of which have influenced the younger Jones’ excellent nutritional regimen.
• Father of two girls: ages 7 & 5
• Likens his style to a combination of Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali and a young Roy Jones
• Other favorite sports: football and basketball
• Favorite show: ESPN’s Sports Center
• Known as a gym rat for his long and strenuous training sessions
• Stays in excellent shape all year long like his mentor Bernard Hopkins
# # #
Mike Jones vs. Raul Munoz, co-promoted by Top Rank, Inc., Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., and Joe Hand Promotions, takes place Saturday, June 25, at the South Philly Arena, 7 West Ritner Street (next to Forman Mills). The scheduled 10-round contest will be televised live by Fox Sports Net at 10 pm EST as part of the Top Rank Live! Series. First of 7 fights: 8 pm.
Martin Murray ready to step up after beating Blackwell
MARTIN MURRAY achieved his lifelong ambition to win the British middleweight title on Saturday night and roared: “Bring on the best”.
The St Helens captured the vacant crown when brave challenger Nick Blackwell was pulled by his corner out after five rounds.
Murray, now unbeaten in 23 fights was dominant throughout the battle and is now anxious close in on fellow world class Britons Darren Barker and Matthew Macklin who were ringside in Wigan.
Murray, 28, believes the secret to becoming a world champ is a special relationship with trainer, Oliver Harrison.
He said: “Me and Oliver are going all the way together. To continue that path we had to beat Nick Blackwell and we did that.
“The tactics he works out for everyone in the gym is spot on and it really is an eye opener.
“I am lucky to have him my corner. I just admire Oliver as a bloke and a coach.”
Blackwell, 20, was bidding to become one of the youngest British champions ever, but apart from a good first round the Trowbridge prospect couldn’t handle Martin’s power and relentless pressure.
Murray who also retained his Commonwealth crown and World Boxing Association (WBA) inter-continental titles added: “No disrespect to him. I’m surprised he lasted as long as he did.
“I thought I might have done him sooner, but I didn’t feel 100 per-cent myself. I felt him tiring and Oliver said inside six rounds and he was right.
“I’m very happy to have three belts and I am ready to move on.”
Blackwell who lost for the first time in nine fights was distraught at the corner’s decision, but nobody could complain at the act of compassion and he will come again.
Manchester Olympian Joe Murray stretched his unbeaten run to 11 wins and claimed his first pro title in front of the packed Robin Park Arena crowd.
‘Genius’ Joe lifted the International Boxing Federation (IBF) international featherweight title outpointing gutsy Scot James Ancliff 120-110. 120-109 and 118-111.
British lightweight champion Anthony Crolla floored Belgian Herve De Luca three times in round one forcing Terry O’Connor to step in at 2 mins 59 seconds.
Chevelle Hallback Announces “Fists of Steel Boxing Academy”
IFBA and WBAN Independent champion Chevelle “Fists of Steel” Hallback is opening her own boxing gym. The grand opening of “Fists of Steel Boxing Academy” is scheduled for Friday, June 24 from 5:30-8:30 PM, in Tampa Bay, Florida at 3020 “B” W. Kennedy Ave. The official opening date is July 5. “It’s going to be a great evening,” Chevelle said, “There will be a ribbon cutting, all kinds of food and drinks, DJ, prizes and giveaways, boxing exhibitions and fitness demonstrations. I am very excited to have my own gym. It’s a dream come true to have the chance to prepare brand new fighters for the future, as well as encourage kids of all ages to get more involved with fitness.”
“Fists of Steel Boxing Acedemy” hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, from 6 AM-10 PM and Saturdays from 8 AM-12 PM. Special training sessions are available by appointment. Ages 5 to adult are welcome and an amateur boxing team will be organized. For more information call 813-270-4375.
Coyne Finishes Up Camp
Undefeated cruiserweight Ryan “The Irish Outlaw” Coyne (16-0 6 KOs) has finished up training camp. Tomorrow he returns back to St. Louis for next Saturday’s title clash versus Guillermo Jones (37-3-2 29KOs) at the Family Arena in St. Charles, MO.
The former Contender series participant went through the toughest training camp of his career and is eager to put his skills on display for on June 25th.
Coyne said “I put blood, sweat and tears into this camp. Jones is a great champion and I know I need to bring my ‘A’ game to beat a champion like him.”
The Irish Outlaw is known for being athletic and well conditioned. Coyne’s strength and conditioning coach Matt Brown said that The Irish Outlaw is in the best shape of his life and it will show next Saturday.
“Ryan is always in good shape but he took it to another level for this fight. The fans will be in for a great fight.”
Coyne’s trainer Jose Ponce agrees with Brown. He feels that Coyne’s conditioning and speed will be the key to the fight. “Titles are won in the late rounds. I am confident that Ryan’s conditioning and endurance will enable him to win the championships rounds and walk out of the ring with the belt around his waist.”