By Jake Donovan

A return to his explosive ways was anticipated, and Mike Jones delivered. The undefeated welterweight prospect dominated every step of the way before scoring a sixth round stoppage over Brazilian banger Juliano Ramos, Friday night at the New Alhambra in Philadelphia, PA.

The bout headlined a card aired live by Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo Tecate.

Jones showed his opponent respect in the opening round, measuring up Ramos while working behind the jab. The two spent most of the round circling around one another at center ring, with very few power punches exchanged or even thrown.

The pattern held up for most of the second and third rounds, though Jones opened up a bit more, particularly to the body. Ramos maintained a tight guard while limiting himself to one punch at a time. Jones was able to get off first as a result, though remained far too respectful of his opponent’s perceived power, as he was far too content to keep it strictly boxing.

Action finally picked up late in the fourth. By now, Jones was doubling up on his jab, snapping back the head of Ramos, and following it up with the occasional right hand. Jones landed three shots to the body, which had Ramos backing up to the ropes and the crowd on hand raising the volume a few decibel levels. He followed up with another flurry just before the bell, going on the attack as Ramos was trapped in the corner as the round came to a close.

Momentum failed to carry over into what was an uneventful fifth, but Jones would atone for that and then some one round later. An overhand right had Ramos on rubbery legs early in the sixth. Referee Steve Smoger gave the Brazilian an extra long look as he absorbed punishment along the ropes.

His intervention would be required a few moments later; Jones unloaded, landing a series of unanswered punches. Two right hands opened up the door for a left hook that rocked Ramos. Another right slammed home on his jaw before a final left hook sent him staggering into a corner and eventually to the canvas as Smoger waved his arms to signal fight’s end.

The official time was 1:12 of round six.

For Jones, it’s just what the doctor ordered. He scores first knockout of 2008 after being extended the distance in his previous two fights. The undefeated Philly welterweight improves to 15-0 (13KO) overall.

Ramos falls to 15-2 (12KO) with the loss. He is now 1-2-0-1NC in his last four fights.

Before the fight, Jones told MaxBoxing.com’s Steve Kim that he was ready for top welterweight Antonio Margarito. Such a fight is way too ambitious at this stage of his career, but there’s no question that a ShoBox main event or even HBO Boxing After Dark co-feature shouldn’t be too far removed from his immediate future. The kid is that good.

So long as Peltz Boxing stays the course in regards to his career, expect pugilistic greatness to one day once again emerge from the city of Brotherly Love.

Jones provided a happy ending for the home crowd faithful but it wasn’t all good for the local squad, as evidenced in the co-feature. Latif Mundy entered the evening an undefeated junior middleweight prospect. Eight rounds, he found himself on the wrong end of an upset after dropping a unanimous decision to former Contender contestant Rudy Cisneros.

The bout was closer than at least two of the three judges had it, with a point deduction for Mundy going low one too many times figuring to be the difference on the cards.  It was, as far as Steve Weisfeld was concerned, scoring the fight 76-75 (same as Boxingscene.com).

The other two cards were a bit too wide (Richard Hopkins, 77-74) and considerably off (Julie Lederman 78-73) but the right guy won in the end as Cisneros picks up his fourth straight win in improving to 12-2 (10KO) overall.

Mundy falls to 8-1 (3KO) with the loss.

A swing bout featuring a pair of Philly cruiserweights was wedged into the middle of the telecast, but didn’t stick around for long.

Reshawn Scott and Pedro Martinez both had their moments early, but it was Martinez’ right hands that brought the drama – and the end of the fight. Scott took a right hand to the body and the head, the latter sending him crashing to the canvas early in the second round. He got up early, but was on wobbly legs, forcing referee Benji Esteves to bring an end to the contest.

The official time was 0:31 of round two.

Martinez improves to 2-1 (2KO), with both wins coming by way of second round knockout. Scott falls to 1-1 (0KO).

The show was presented by Peltz Boxing and Don Chargin Productions.
 
Jake Donovan is a voting member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Contact Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.