|
|
||||
|
JONES WINS; ROSADO SHINES IN AC
Mike Jones (19-0, 16 KO) returned to the ring in Atlantic
City Saturday night (11/07) after a brief recuperation for a
pinched nerve that kept him idle for a few months. His bout
with substitute Raul Pinzon was the main event of a
seven-fight card promoted by Peltz Boxing that featured
several local boxers. Jones won his match by KO in round
five (1:40) with a wrecking shot to the body. After a careful start, Jones loosened up and
got down to the business of whacking out Pinzon (16-4-1),
who was a major step down from Richard Gutierrez, Mike's
originally scheduled opponent. Still, Jones got
Gabriel Rosado bounced back nicely from his loss to Alfredo Angulo by stopping fellow North Philadelphian Latif Mundy in round seven. After four close rounds, Rosado stepped on the gas and showed his advantages in power and durability. Although Gabe got hit himself a bit too much early on, he rocked Mundy a few times before halting him at 1:53 of the next-to-last round of their semi-windup. Mundy looked good most of the way, and in fact, appeared to be a little too slick for Rosado in the first few rounds. But something happened along the way and Mundy lost ground in the battle. He was clearly affected by Rosado's punches - especially the right hand - and may have begun to tire in the sixth. Overall it was an excellent victory for the 13-4 (7 KO) Rosado that renewed his shine as a Philly prospect with this very workman-like performance. Rosado's stablemate Khalil Farah opened the show with his 4-round light heavyweight fight, but he was overmatched against Keith Kozlin. Southpaw Farah did his best to stay in there, but had no answers for his aggressive and powerful foe. Kozlin broke Farah's nose during the match and by round three, the referee had seen enough. Kozlin improved to 4-0 (2 KO); Farah fell to 5-4-1 (1 KO). At 31, Delaware's shop-worn Mike Stewart fought like an old man in his six-rounder. Luckily he was matched with someone five years his senior, and managed to come away with a unanimous decision - but he had to come off the floor to do it. At 44-7-3 (23 KO), Stewart's best days are behind him, but he still puts on a good show as a supporting attraction. His opponent, Louie Leija - who was bombed out in a single round by Kaseem Wilson earlier this year - dropped to 21-13-1 (15 KO). Leija was clearly aggravated by the official scores.
In other bouts, Phillip Jackson Benson looked good with a
second round TKO of Julio Sanchez; Josh Mercado won a
unanimous four round decision over Epi Cosme Rodriguez, and
Ronald Cruz won his walkout bout over Ashantie Hendrickson
by six round unanimous decision.
IN OTHER RINGS: |
||||
|
______________________________________________________________ |
||||
|
|
||||
his
KO, looked good enough, and put to rest what must have been
a nightmare year for him and his entire team. Although Jones
went 3-0 with 2 KOs in 2009, his year was loaded with more
than his fair share of postponements, cancellations,
substitutions and injuries. Mike should get credit for
staying focused enough to remain undefeated, even if in '09,
he seemed to have lost that "world-beater" look he had one
year ago. He still is Philly's hottest prospect, and is
certain to have a better run in 2010.