Mike Jones Wants Manny Pacquiao in the Ring
As unbeaten Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, PA, who is 24-0, 18 KOs, and is ranked the WBO #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:
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.