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2007-11-14
MIKE JONES REMAINS UNBEATEN
Three bouts from the card held November 9 at the New Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were televised the following evening on CNB's "Prime Time Fights." Local favorites Mike Jones, John Poore, and Latif Mundy all emerged victorious.

In the opening bout, Mundy, an undefeated junior middleweight prospect, faced Maurice Williams of Camden, New Jersey. It was the second time the pair had fought. Mundy won a majority decision after 4 rounds in June.

Mundy Hls


This time, Williams pressed the action but was met by solid shots from the 24-year-old North Philadelphian. It was obvious Mundy was the more skillful of the two as he displayed an accurate jab, quick left hooks, and an ability to counter the 36-year-old Williams' wide punches. Williams showed heart. Badly cut in the second round, he fought on and lasted the full 6-round distance.

The judges scored the bout 59-55, 59-55, and 58-56, all for Mundy, who improved to 7-0 with 2 KOs. Williams fell to 1-5 with 1 KO.

The second bout was an eight-round heavyweight clash between Poore, from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, and Toledo, Ohio's Dan Whetzel.

John Poore Hls


Poore was once on the verge of national recognition. On March 24, 2005, he fought for a minor title in a major venue with major coverage. A win at the Wachovia Spectrum that night would have brought the then unbeaten Poore a great deal of notice. It wasn't to be. Robert "Big Philly" Hawkins stopped Poore in the 5th round to claim the fringe IBU heavyweight championship and Poore was soon back on the club scene.

His bout with Whetzel was his 5th straight at the New Alhambra. He had won 3 of the previous 4 and was looking for his 20th career victory.

Whetzel winged shots from the outside during the early going while Poore worked his way inside behind a stiff, punishing jab. When Whetzel changed strategy and attempted to force the action inside, Poore discouraged him with powerful lefts and rights.

Midway through the bout, Poore suffered a cut above his left eye. While it was a concern to him and to his corner, he continued to fight in the same manner. Even in the later rounds, when fatigue definitely became a factor, Poore utilized his arsenal of powerful hooks, straight rights, and wicked uppercuts.

His work paid off as he was awarded a unanimous decision by the scores of 77-74, 79-72, and 79-72. The win upped the now 36-year-old Poore's record to 20-2 with 18 KO's while Whetzel, 35, is now saddled with a slate of 9-12-1 with 5 KO's.

The main event pitted the 24-year-old knockout artist Jones against the veteran Israel "Pito" Cardona. Cardona had been a top ten lightweight contender and had challenged then IBF champion Paul Spadafora in 1999. He retired in 2002 but launched a comeback in 2006. He won his first two comeback fights but lost the third, dropping a decision to up-and-coming Juan Buendia in a nationally televised bout. Jones, also from North Philadelphia, had won all 11 of his bouts by knockout but had not fought anyone with the 32-year-old Cardona's ability or experience.

Mike Jones Hls


The 5'11'' Jones held a 4-inch height advantage over Cardona and enjoyed a 5-inch advantage in reach. He used his physical advantages well and countered the aggressive Cardona to win the first two rounds. In the 3rd, he opened up and drove Cardona to the ropes. Cardona fought back but again Jones drove Cardona back. He trapped the Hartford, Connecticut native on the ropes again and fired off another barrage of punches. Referee Gary Rosato jumped in and stopped the bout at 1:34 of the 3rd. Cardona protested but, while the stoppage may have been a bit premature, it seemed only a matter of time before "Pito" would have been seriously hurt.

Jones vs Cardona


Jones, now 12-0 with 12 KOs, looks to further upgrade his competition while Cardona (36-8, 28 KOs) must ask himself if he really believes he can regain his former status and if not, whether he can be satisfied in the role as a mere opponent for up-and-coming prospects.

In two of the non-televised undercard bouts, junior middleweight Mustapha Johnson (5-2, 2 KOs) unanimously outpointed veteran Joe Christy (8-12-3, 2 KOs) over 6 rounds and lightweight Victor Vasquez (6-1, 4 KOs) won a 6-round, unanimous decision over Freudis Rojas (1-7-1, 1 KO).

 
Article By: Ken Pollitt