Philadelphia, PA—Undefeated welterweight contender Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, PA, who faces two-time world title challenger Sebastian Lujan, of Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina, in an IBF world title eliminator on the Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito card Dec. 3 at Madison Square Garden, has added another strength and conditioning coach to his team.

 

Rich Meudt, 54, who has been conditioning athletes in various sports for the last 27 years, has been working with Jones for the last two months.

                                                                                                                           

“When Mike started working with me he looked like a new-born calf,” said Meudt, a retired major after a 22-year stint in the Army. “Now he’s a strong bull. His legs are firmer, stronger and explosive. His balance, conditioning and endurance are excellent. He does everything I ask him to do and he exceeds all expectations.”

 

Meudt was brought on board by fellow-Jones strength and conditioning coach Danny Davis, who has worked with Jones for the last several years and who is also well-known for his longtime association with Bernard Hopkins.

 

“I brought Rich in to focus on Mike’s legs and conditioning,” said Davis. “Rich has done a great job, bringing in his expertise and knowledge. Mike looks very strong and sharp and he’s a hard worker who wants to go to the highest level and never complains about what he’s asked to do. That’s what makes a champion.”

 

Jones has responded well to the rigors of the grueling sessions.

 

“It’s very important to do different things each and every time so that I get a little bit better for each fight,” said Jones, a workout fanatic known for his long training and fitness sessions. “I feel more stable and better balanced. My legs are a lot stronger than they were. That will make me a better fighter and more dynamic as a puncher. I’m in the best shape ever. I believe it’s (the workouts) going to pay dividends on December 3.”

 

Not satisfied with just adding a new conditioning coach, Jones, who stays in excellent shape and watches what he eats, also added Amy West, a weight management nutritionist, to assist him in getting the most out of his daily eating routine.                      

 

The Mike Jones-Sebastian Lujan IBF eliminator is part of the Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito II world championship telecast, which begins at 9 pm (EST)/6 pm (PT).  It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View and will be available to more than 292 million pay-per-view homes.  The telecast will be available in HDTV for those who can receive HD.  HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.