By Ryan Burton
Mike Jones recently defeated Sebastian Lujan in an IBF welterweight eliminator for the right to face Randall Bailey for the vacant strap. Jones has been clamoring for a showdown with former WBC/IBF welterweight champion Andre Berto for quite some time. On a recent edition of The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene.com's official audio show, I asked him if the Berto fight is still a fight that he wants after he faces Bailey.
"Berto is a welterweight star. I want him or Victor Ortiz after (the Bailey fight). I want the winner of that fight," responded Jones.
Jones, who is co-promoted by Russell Peltz and Top Rank, continued by saying that he isn't overlooking Randall Bailey. "First things first though. I gotta get this title first and get Bailey out of the way."
During Saturday night's show the HBO broadcast team of Jim Lampley, Emanuel Steward and Max Kellerman suggested that junior middleweight would probably be the tall and lanky Philly fighter's optimum weight class. Jones agreed with their assessment but said that he wants to get a title at 147 pounds before he moves up in weight.
"154 will be my best weight," stated Jones emphatically. "I fought at 152 (pounds) in the amateurs so it will be better for me but first things first. I need to get a title at welterweight first," Jones concluded.
Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton
ADD COMMENT VIEW COMMENTS (6)