Mike Jones Interview
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photo by Mike McGuigan
About a year ago, the people who regularly attend the fights at The New Alhambra began to ask "Who is Mike Jones?" Over the past 12 months or so fighting under the Peltz Boxing Promotions banner, Jones has let his hands do the talking, knocking opponents silly and becoming the guy many fans want to come see. Now that his name has a buzz, the question becomes, "Is he the real deal?" His team firmly believes that he is and on Friday night Mike "Machine Gun" Jones will put his perfect 8 - 0, (8ko's) record on the line against Doel Carrasquillo, a big punching ruffian from the Terry Nye Gym in Lancaster, PA in a highly anticipated elimination bout for the PA State Welterweight Title. While Jones, a graduate of Martin Luther King High School, has earned a rep as a dangerous person in the ring, outside of it he comes across as a man of respect whose top priorities are his kids, his training and realizing his goals of one day becoming a world champion. When Mike isn't with his family or in the ring, he spends his nights working at Home Depot and also recently landing a supporting role in the upcoming movie The Greek American, a cross between Rocky & Goodfellas which focuses on the life and times of a young Philly boxer in the 1960's. I recently had the chance to speak with the Machine Gun along with his managers Doc Nowicki and Jimmy Williams after wrapping up a fierce workout session with trainer Vaughn Jackson at the Philly Brawlers Boxing Gym. The Jones camp took the time to give their thoughts on the upcoming fight, plans for the future and other info that will let us know why the 24 year old Mount Airy native is here to stay.
PK: Mike, thanks for taking the time for the interview, you have a big night coming up this Friday at the New Alhambra, how are you feeling for this fight?
MJ: I feel real strong for this fight, ready to go for 8 rounds.
PK: This fight is scheduled for 8 rounds, but being that you are 8 – 0 with 8 knockouts I have to ask, do you think it will it last the entire 8?
MJ: I am always prepared to go 8 rounds, its up to the other guy to decide if he wants to stick around for 8 round and take the punishment that I give. That’s up to them.
PK: Your opponent Doel Carrasquillo has been making a name for himself as well recently, have you done anything different to prepare for this fight?
MJ: Nah man same ol’ same ol’. Same workout routine, in the gym every day and working hard. It’s gonna be the same results on July 20th.
PK:What does your training routine consist of? Getting a lot of good sparring to prepare for this fight?
MJ: Yeah I have been getting good work in with my trainer Vaughn Jackson. My routine consists of a lot of things. I jump rope, shadow box, work pads, calisthenics. I have been sparring with LaJuan Simon and Demetrius Hopkins to name a few. I’m always ready!
PK: How did you get into boxing?
MJ: Well, I was a kid, around 15 years old my dad got me into boxing. I kept bugging him and bugging him to take me to the gym so he took me down to Joe Frazier’s Gym and I have been hooked ever since.
PK: What are some of the goals you hope to accomplish as a pro boxer?
MJ: My immediate goals for the near future is to capture the state title, from there I then just want to keep taking bigger name opponents. Eventually that will lead me to winning a bigger belt, world title.
PK: You started off your career in Philly and recently you have has the opportunity to fight outside on the road, out of the comfort zone in Washington and Las Vegas. How was that different?
MJ: It was a different experience, different surroundings and all but once we get inside the ring it’s the same ol same when its one on one. You saw the results.
PK: You have earned a name around here as a knock you out, tough fighter but what’s Mike Jones like outside of the ring?
MJ: I’m a pretty modest, laid back guy. I spend a lot of time with my kids and my family; I just chill out and do my work. That’s about it.
PK: You fight at 147 lbs. what are you thoughts on the Welterweight division as a whole?
MJ: I think it real good, a lot of talented fighters in this division. I actually think it is the best division in boxing right now. I feel that I will be right up there in the near future. I give it another year and I will be ready for a Cotto, Mosley and them.
PK: Anything you would like to say as we come to a close?
MJ: Yeah, come check out the fight on July 20th at the New Alhambra or on Telefutura, witness another Mike Jones knockout!
Special thanks to J. Russell Peltz, Doc Nowicki & Jimmy Williams for making this interview possible.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keith@phillykeith.com
Go to www.phillykeith.com for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene
photo by Mike McGuiganAbout a year ago, the people who regularly attend the fights at The New Alhambra began to ask "Who is Mike Jones?" Over the past 12 months or so fighting under the Peltz Boxing Promotions banner, Jones has let his hands do the talking, knocking opponents silly and becoming the guy many fans want to come see. Now that his name has a buzz, the question becomes, "Is he the real deal?" His team firmly believes that he is and on Friday night Mike "Machine Gun" Jones will put his perfect 8 - 0, (8ko's) record on the line against Doel Carrasquillo, a big punching ruffian from the Terry Nye Gym in Lancaster, PA in a highly anticipated elimination bout for the PA State Welterweight Title. While Jones, a graduate of Martin Luther King High School, has earned a rep as a dangerous person in the ring, outside of it he comes across as a man of respect whose top priorities are his kids, his training and realizing his goals of one day becoming a world champion. When Mike isn't with his family or in the ring, he spends his nights working at Home Depot and also recently landing a supporting role in the upcoming movie The Greek American, a cross between Rocky & Goodfellas which focuses on the life and times of a young Philly boxer in the 1960's. I recently had the chance to speak with the Machine Gun along with his managers Doc Nowicki and Jimmy Williams after wrapping up a fierce workout session with trainer Vaughn Jackson at the Philly Brawlers Boxing Gym. The Jones camp took the time to give their thoughts on the upcoming fight, plans for the future and other info that will let us know why the 24 year old Mount Airy native is here to stay.
PK: Mike, thanks for taking the time for the interview, you have a big night coming up this Friday at the New Alhambra, how are you feeling for this fight?
MJ: I feel real strong for this fight, ready to go for 8 rounds.
PK: This fight is scheduled for 8 rounds, but being that you are 8 – 0 with 8 knockouts I have to ask, do you think it will it last the entire 8?
MJ: I am always prepared to go 8 rounds, its up to the other guy to decide if he wants to stick around for 8 round and take the punishment that I give. That’s up to them.
PK: Your opponent Doel Carrasquillo has been making a name for himself as well recently, have you done anything different to prepare for this fight?
MJ: Nah man same ol’ same ol’. Same workout routine, in the gym every day and working hard. It’s gonna be the same results on July 20th.
PK:What does your training routine consist of? Getting a lot of good sparring to prepare for this fight?
MJ: Yeah I have been getting good work in with my trainer Vaughn Jackson. My routine consists of a lot of things. I jump rope, shadow box, work pads, calisthenics. I have been sparring with LaJuan Simon and Demetrius Hopkins to name a few. I’m always ready!
PK: How did you get into boxing?
MJ: Well, I was a kid, around 15 years old my dad got me into boxing. I kept bugging him and bugging him to take me to the gym so he took me down to Joe Frazier’s Gym and I have been hooked ever since.
PK: What are some of the goals you hope to accomplish as a pro boxer?
MJ: My immediate goals for the near future is to capture the state title, from there I then just want to keep taking bigger name opponents. Eventually that will lead me to winning a bigger belt, world title.
PK: You started off your career in Philly and recently you have has the opportunity to fight outside on the road, out of the comfort zone in Washington and Las Vegas. How was that different?
MJ: It was a different experience, different surroundings and all but once we get inside the ring it’s the same ol same when its one on one. You saw the results.
PK: You have earned a name around here as a knock you out, tough fighter but what’s Mike Jones like outside of the ring?
MJ: I’m a pretty modest, laid back guy. I spend a lot of time with my kids and my family; I just chill out and do my work. That’s about it.
PK: You fight at 147 lbs. what are you thoughts on the Welterweight division as a whole?
MJ: I think it real good, a lot of talented fighters in this division. I actually think it is the best division in boxing right now. I feel that I will be right up there in the near future. I give it another year and I will be ready for a Cotto, Mosley and them.
PK: Anything you would like to say as we come to a close?
MJ: Yeah, come check out the fight on July 20th at the New Alhambra or on Telefutura, witness another Mike Jones knockout!
Special thanks to J. Russell Peltz, Doc Nowicki & Jimmy Williams for making this interview possible.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keith@phillykeith.com
Go to www.phillykeith.com for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene
posted by Philly Keith at
11:01 AM
9 Comments:
Good interview keith!!!!
There's always a few local fighters that will go 18 to 20 - 0 before stepping up. Mike Jones is not one of these fighters. He's a true prospect. He will make a dent in the Welterweight Division, no doubt. It's not the same old wait till he gets tested kinda guy. It's only a matter of time. Best of luck to Mike, and Kaseem Wilson. They're both of the fast track to a world title.
I'd love to see Mike go at it with Rock Allen. Good call Keith.
July 20th FightNews Prediction:
Mike Jone Stops Carrasquillo in 3!!!
ya boy Mike Jones!
That was quick work, I hope he fights a good Mexican next.
I am really interested to see how he does against world class opposition now that he is 12 - 0. Hopefully he doesn't rush it, I would like to see him fight Shamone Alvarez.
THAT IS AN OLD INTERVIEW MIKE IS NOW 12-0. AND I'M SURE THOSE WERE NOT HIS EXACT WORDS.MIKE DON'T TALK THAT MUCH. WHERE IS SOMETHING NEW ABOUT MIKE.
I assure you those were his words Big Sis, we don;t fluff it up here. You are right it's time for something new from the Machine Gun...Stay Tuned!
HOW ABOUT THIS ONE MIKE JONES VS GILBERT SOMETHING MARCH 28TH!!!!I'LL BE THERE WILL YOU?
Whats up big sis this MUK LONG TIME KNOW SEE YO Mike LUMPIN EM UP IM IN ATL
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