• 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.
