As unbeaten Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, PA, who is 24-0, 18 K0s, and is ranked the #1 welterweight in the world behind WBO champion Manny Pacquiao, prepares to meet Raul Munoz (21-13-1, 16 KOs), of Leon, Mexico, on Saturday, June 25, at South Philly Arena, he has had an excellent training camp. Here are some quotes from Jones:
Mikes Jones Comments
• On facing non-ranked Raul Munoz on June 25: “I’m a professional. This is my job. Anytime I go out, whenever I go out, I’m going to put my best effort forth. I’m going to prepare myself like it’s a world championship fight because I’m trying my best to be one of the greatest out there. That’s my dream.”
• On fighting in his hometown for the first time in more than two years: “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.”
• What Jones learned from his two fights with Jesus Soto-Karass: “If I stick to the game plan and be patient, great things will happen. Those fights were a learning experience to help me with my future fights.”
• On the second Soto-Karass fight: “I wanted to show everybody that I could box. I can punch. I can do it all. On any given night, I can bring out the boxer, I can bring out the slugger. I’m just working on my game…to be the best at both of them. It’s satisfying to know I can go the distance. I’m going to be fighting guys ranked number 2, number 3, guys that can’t be knocked out. I always knew I could go the distance but I wanted to show the world that I could and be a good boxer.”
• On being ranked #1 by the WBO: “I’ve heard about it. I rarely look at that but it’s impossible not to. It’s great to be looked at that way. I’m a work in progress. I’m always working to try to get better.”
• Future plans: “I want a big fight, anybody in the Top 10, whatever the fans want. I think I’m ready for a title shot right now. It doesn’t hurt to get more seasoning. It doesn’t hurt to get a couple more fights before I go for a title shot because I know when I get in my best shape I can contend with the best of them.”
• On his ultimate goal of fighting Manny Pacquiao: “I can get a call any day to fight a guy like Manny Pacquiao so I gotta be in great shape all the time. As for me, I feel I can beat him because I got 100% confidence in myself. I feel as though I can beat anybody in the welterweight division. Pacquiao will bring far more than exposure. Any time you fight a Manny Pacquiao you’re also going to see seven digits ($) so that’s gotta be a dream come true for me and my family.”
• When did you start boxing: “I’ve been training since I was 15 years old, hard…non-stop. I always wanted to be a champion since I stepped foot in the boxing ring. I wanted to be great and I’m motivated to be one of the great fighters in the world.”
####
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.