Mike Jones stops Pito Cardona in the 3rd, John Poore wins a war at The New Alhambra

photos by Mike "Teek" McGuigan

The Fairmount Hall of Famer J. Russell Peltz returned to the New Alhambra with an eight bout card to cap off another year in a long, storied career on the Philly boxing circuit. Inside the ring, the main event featured Philly’s hottest boxer, undefeated welterweight Mike “Machine Gun” Jones, who over the past 12 months has become the franchise figure of Peltz Boxing Promotions. His rise has been faster than most and after witnessing a disappointing fight on October 5th where Jones opponent laid down like a cheap whore early in the 1st round, Team Promise decided it was time for a major step up. Enter former world title contender Israel “Pito” Cardona who has faced, and beaten some of the major players in boxing back in the late 1990’s. Though he is past him prime now, Cardona still has plenty left in the tank and was looking to make one final run towards the big time. Fully aware he would come in as the betting underdog, Pito vowed to bring the fight to Jones and see if he really is the killer which his record indicated.. Many thought Jones would be in for a big test. Those who weren’t already sold on Jones potential dubbed this as the fight to determine if he is a legitimate prospect or an over hyped suspect. Excitement was high, the new line of Mike Jones tee-shirts were on sale for a whopping $20, and CN8 was in the house to broadcast the event throughout the East Coast. Cardona came as advertised and Jones responded like a blue chip would and 10 minutes after the opening bell, the smokers hit the exit and the corner of Swanson & Ritner was buzzing to the tune of Mike Jones as the Real Deal after this short yet masterful performance. In the co-feature, the sands in “Big” John Poore’s hourglass haven’t completely emptied as he went into deep waters with Ohio’s Dan Whetzel and came out on top. Throw the records and sub plots out the window because at the end of the day, this one was a good old fashioned heavyweight tassel. With the win, the Darby machinist reached the 20 win mark and will now be looking to cash in on a career that had its share of ups, downs and arounds. Scroll down for the full run down of the entire card.

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Welterweights
Mike Jones…vs…Pito Cardona
Philadelphia…….Hartford, CT
11 – 0 11ko’s……36 – 7, 28ko’s

It’s easy to forget that Jones only has twenty-four rounds of pro experience. Most young fighters, at this stage of their career, are still being eased through the ranks. But a talent like this is hard to hold back and the fans have taken notice to his explosive punching power. But to label him as strictly a knock out artist is an injustice. Fight by fight he has been showing more tools. On this night, Pito Cardona was brought in to make Jones work. Pito held up his end of the bargain and Jones responded in a big way.

In the opening round Cardona came right after Jones when the opening bell sounded. Jones, using his 3” height advantage quickly began to use his jab and circle the incoming Cardona in what was a very fast paced round.

The second round started out the same, with Cardona charging and looking to get inside as Jones circled, popped off his jab and start to open up with combinations. It was a tough, close round as Cardona began to land his left hook when Jones would step in the exchange.

To start the third round, Cardona was unmarked but after :30 seconds in, his face showed lots of battle wounds. In the early going, Jones made adjustments and capitalized on Cardona’s aggressiveness, catching him with a clean left hook which sent him to the ropes. Jones opened up with a six punch combo working the head and body before Cardona was able to escape. While Cardona was able to run, he couldn’t hide as Jones quickly sent him back to the ropes and unloaded with some fierce lefts and rights to the head and body of a wilting Cardona. Referee Gary Rosato saw enough and jumped in to save Cardona from further damage at the 1:44 mark.











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Heavyweights
John Poore….vs….Dan Whetzel
Upper Darby……..Ohio
19 – 2, 18ko’s……8 – 11

Two years ago, the man known as “Big” John Poore was running roughshod through the competition at The New Alhambra. Now at age 37, time is no longer on his side and he knows if he is going to make a move in boxing, the time is now. After returning from a year layoff in July, Poore has won two in a row against much lesser experienced fighters. A win on this night would mark his 20th pro victory and most likely a chance to cash in on a career that has seen its share of glory and turmoil.

His opponent on this night, was a decent step up in the form of Dan Whetzel of Ohio, a fighter who has taken on some solid prospects and never come out on top. On paper, one might assume that Whetzel is no stranger to the canvas but when this one was all said and done, it was a heavyweight slugfest where both fighters put it all on the line in one of the more action packed fights of 2007.

Through three rounds, it looked like it was going to be a long night for Big John as Whetzel clearly outworked him, beating him to the punch and landing some clean, hard right hands to the head. One of which opened a sizeable cut over Poore’s eye. Though it was leaking in the 3rd, Joey Eye patched it up and it wasn’t much of a factor. While Whetzel was doing the lion’s share of the work; it became evident that he couldn’t hurt Poore.

The tide turned in the 4th when Poore stopped throwing single punches and started working the body, then following up with some big combinations upstairs. Whetzel was still very much into the fight but now it was Poore who was getting the better of the exchanges. In the 5th, Poore came out strong and was really laying into Whetzel. It looked like the end was near midway through. A three punch combo left Whetzel’s mouthpiece laying on the canvas for a good 30 seconds but the fight kept on. Whetzel was staggered and Poore stayed on the attack. Action made its way into the corner but it was suddenly halted to put the mouthpiece back in, giving the Ohio man a much needed break. After the delay, Poore continued his assault but Whetzel digs deep and finishes the round landing a few big rights of his own.

In what was looking like a long stinker early was turning into a close and very competitive fight. The crowd was on its feet in appreciation of both fighters effort. The 6th round was a very good, close one where both fighters stood in front of each other and exchanged heavy blows upstairs and down stairs throughout. It wasn’t circa 2003, but John Poore showed that he isn’t done as a fighter just yet.

The 7th was good too, Whetzel came out of the gate landing a big right bomb but Poore responds, this time with an upper cut when once again send the mouthpiece out. This time referee Vic De Wosaki deducted a point of Whetzel. To make up for the point loss, Whetzel came out bombing rights but most of them were blocked. He tries to steal the round late but Poore is clearly landing the more meaningful punches.

In the 8th, Whetzel seemed to know he needed to knockout. Whetzel starts off to the body then trades powerful right hands. Whetzel fought until the very end but Poore did his job, keeping him at bay to secure the fight.

It went to the cards which read 79 – 72 x2 and a more accurate 77 – 75 all in favor of “Big” John Poore.







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Junior Middleweights
Latif Mundy….vs….Maurice Williams
Philly………………Camden
6 – 0, 2ko’s………..1 – 4, 1ko

This was a rematch of a very exciting four rounder at the National Guard Armory a few months back which ended in majority decision for Mundy. Williams, a fighter who as been jobbed in the past when fighting on the road was looking for revenge as he felt he got shafted in the first fight. Mundy, the 2005 PA Gold Gloves champion, was fresh off an impressive 1st round knockout win and looked to avoid any confusion in the rematch against Williams with a knockout.

The first fight was a good, two way leather fest but things were different this time around as Mundy out boxed a very determined Williams over 6 rounds. The majority of the fight saw Williams try to work his way inside only to be greeted with a stiff jab or a quick side step followed by counter rights and lefts.

Williams best work came in the second when he was able to bring the fight to the ropes where he seemed to land more punches. Mundy responded in the 3rd, causing a cut over Williams left eye. After a good 4th round where both fighters stayed inside and traded punches, Mundy took over down the stretch. Williams face was looking banged up but he fought until the very end. Mundy proved to be too much as he peppered him with a variety punches with both hands.

In the end the fight went to the cards and they read 59 – 55 x2 and 58 – 56 in favor of Latif Mundy who improves to 7 – 0, 2ko’s







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Lightweights
Victor Vasquez….vs….Freudis Rojas
Philly…………………........Cuba
4 – 1, 3ko’s……………....1 – 6

Victor Vasquez is becoming known for his high octane; bang it out slug fests that get the crowd on their feet. Tonight wasn’t one of those nights, instead be grinded out a hard earned win over a tough customer from Cuba. The fight started off slow but picked up down the stretch as Vasquez started to cleanly land combinations as made Rojas miss.

It went to the cards over 6 rounds and they read 59 x 55 x2 & 58 – 56 in favor of Victor Vasquez.








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Junior Lightweights
Tommy Garcia….vs…..Felix Arroyo
Hartford, CT……………Philly
1-0 1ko………………..0-1

This was a rematch of a pretty exciting fight between two men making their pro debut which ended in a controversial stoppage to give Garcia the win. In the rematch Felix “La Dinamita” Arroyo got his revenge as he outworked Garcia over 4 rounds and didn’t giving up down the stretch, making a statement to the crowd showing who really was the better fighter.

It went to the cards and they read 40 – 36 & 39 – 37 x2 for Arroyo






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Middleweights
Joe Christy ...vs... Mustapha Johnson
South Philly.........Indiana
8-11, 3ko's..........4-2, 2ko's

Mustapha Johnson made it two straight upsets at The New Alhambra as he won a hard fought decision over the rumblin' Joe Christy over 6 rounds. Johnson was fresh off an upset win over Jose Medina in August and Christy recently won a decision over Sonny Bono Taylor. In this fight Johnson stay composed and throw short combinations when Christy looked to make it a war with haymakers from all angles. It went to the cards and they read 60 - 54 across the board.






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Junior Lightweights
Travis Thompson…vs….Jonathan Ocassio
Reading, PA……………Philly
0-1……………………..0 -1

In the opener, the fight between Thompson and Occasio started off nice but Thompson wore him out down the stretch with his pressure tactics causing a stoppage at 2:52 in the 4th round.

Winner by TKO – Travis Thompson







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Junior Middleweights
Ivan Zigler….vs….Marvin Rivera
Virginia.........Allentown
pro debut........3-3-1, 1ko

Ivan Zigler wasted no time getting busy in his pro debut as he and Marvin Rivera traded good punches in a tough 4 rounder which closed out the night. Zigler started off strong but Rivera closed the gao down the stretch in a fight many said could have gone either way. In the end it went to the cards which read 39 - 37 for Zigler but over rulled by two other scored of 38 - 38.








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