Philadelphia, PA—If early ticket sales are an indication, a big crowd is expected for the Mike Jones vs. Raul Munoz fight Saturday, June 25, at the South Philly Arena, 7 West Ritner St.
“Mike Jones is a hot attraction on the East Coast,” said Hall-of-Fame promoter J Russell Peltz. “We are confident of having a full house. When Mike Jones fights, people expect fireworks, even if it’s one week before July 4.”
The 28-year-old Jones (24-0, 18 KOs), of North Philadelphia, is coming off a big win Feb. 19 in Las Vegas (on HBO) where he out-pointed Jesus Soto-Karass, of Mexico, for the second time. Jones is rated No.1 in the world at 147 pounds behind WBO champion Manny Pacquiao, as well as No. 2 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), No. 3 by the IBF, No. 5 by the WBC.
“It’s good to be back fighting in Philly,” said Jones, who will be making his first hometown appearance in more than two years. “The fans are great and I’m looking to putting on a good show for them.”
The Jones-Munoz fight is part of the Top Rank Live! series which is being promoted by Top Rank, Inc., Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., and Joe Hand Promotions. It will be televised live by Fox Sports Net beginning at 10 pm EST. The first of six additional bouts begins at 8 pm.
Tickets priced at $75 and $50 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions (215-765-0922) and online at www.peltzboxing.com.
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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. 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.
DMITRY PIROG WANTS TO FIGHT THE BEST – AND THAT INCLUDES SERGIO MARTINEZ
Banner Promotions President Art Pelullo said, “I understand that Sergio Martinez is going to be fighting Darren Barker on October 1. I have known Lou DiBella, Martinez’ promoter, for over 20 years and we are personal friends. I have been in the fight business for over 25 years and I know how the business works.
“The Martinez camp never spoke to me about Dmitry Pirog. Clearly, they have no interest in the fight because it is a very dangerous fight for Martinez.
“I have been trying to make the Martinez fight for over nine months. I have talked to Lou, I have talked to Kery Davis, and I sent several emails to Ross Greenburg and Kery Davis about the fight.
“Dmitry is one of the top three middleweights in the world and had a spectacular knockout victory over Danny Jacobs last July to win the World Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight world title. It seems like he’s being punished for winning.
“I have consistently told HBO over the last 11 months that Dmitry is ready, willing and able right now to fight anybody – including Sergio Martinez. We are quite sincere. Dmitry wants to come to America and fight the best fighters in the world.”
Huracan Wants A Bedlam Bout!
Melissa “Huracan” Hernandez is following Amanda Serrano’s (10-0-1, 6 KO) progress like Dorothy on the Yellow Brick Road. “Serrano said Maureen Shea needed a heart or something…I’m wondering if Amanda’s not needing brain surgery,” the outspoken Hernandez (14-2, 5 KO) said.
“Look- why FLY some 2-4 Jennifer Scott in from Ohio when I can just take a damn bus to fight you- I heard you’re looking to fight again in Atlantic city next month. Let’s take a Brooklyn-Bronx fight to Jersey…two Puerto Ricans, the best fighting the best. I’m game…so let’s see if you’re a Cowardly Lion or you’ve got courage to fight me. My manager Brian Cohen is ready to do this.
Cohen: There is No Doubt Trout is the Real Thing
Greg Cohen, promoter of undefeated World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Middleweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout (23-0, 13 KOs) wishes to congratulate Trout for his unanimous decision over David “The Destroyer” Lopez on Saturday, June 11 at the Auditorio Miguel Barragan in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Defending his title for the first time, Trout controlled the action against the formidable Lopez (40-12, 23 KOs), even dropping him in round eleven, to win by scores of 119-109, 117-110 and 118-109.
“David Lopez is a guy everyone had avoided,” said an elated Cohen, post-fight. “He hadn’t lost in 16 fights, spanning more than six years and Austin just walked into his backyard, with a packed house rooting against him, and dominated. Austin Trout belongs at the top of the list of the world’s best junior middleweights, period end of story.”
25-year-old Trout, a native of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was able to out-speed Lopez and stifle his pressure tactics with sharp combinations and excellent movement.
“It’s going to be very hard for the powers that be to ignore Austin after this performance,” continued Cohen. “Austin is already a seasoned champion who can walk into the most feared fighters in the world’s backyards and beat them convincingly. Lopez was definitely here to win tonight; Austin also showed he can take a punch when he has to. I could not be more proud of his performance.”
Cohen says he will sit down this week with Trout’s representatives about the next step, but unification showdowns with fellow 154-lb champions Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez, or former multi division World Champion Anthony Mundine are the first priority.