Mike Jones has 10 rounds of target practice, but is injured in win Jamaal Davis gets a hard earned win @ Bally's

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photos by Mike "Teek" McGuigan

In a bout that was billed at ringside as "Jones versus The Volcano" MJ wasn't faced with a bubbly fire of molten lava, instead he was the one who ruptured as he exploded on Lenin "The Volcano" Arroyo with rights and lefts over the 10 round distance en route to a unanimous decision win at Bally's Casino in Atlantic City. It wasn't Jones (18-0, 15ko's) best performance, there were times where he looked bored and others times where he played to the crowd. On the plus side, he displayed patience, when he jabbed it was sharp and put his combinations together very well. Make no mistake, he dominated this fight from start to finish. Jones energy level was still high even at the end of the fight so the gas tank definitely was fueled with diesel. He also used the opportunity to shake off some rust as he has only fought 5 complete rounds in the past year coming into this match-up.

Some felt that he should have gotten rid of Arroyo, some thought the fight should have been stopped by the corner or ref after 6 but I will give the shifty Costa Rican his credit, even with no hope of winning, he earned every cent of his pay by trying his best, absorbing some vicious upper cuts and never giving the indication that he wanted to pack it up. With that said, Lenin Arroyo's body will be feeling the sharp stings of a Mike Jones blow for some time. Jones continues his reign as the top local attraction in town who deserves his world ratings. The final scores were 99-91 x 2 and 98- 92, I had it a clean sweep at 100 - 90 for Jones who made the third successful defense of his NABA Welterweight title. Enough with these journeyman types, let's see Jones knocking off some prospects and contenders!

In a note of misfortune, it was diagnosed shortly after the fight that Jones has suffered a pinched nerve in his neck which robs him of any strength in his tricep. This injury has shelved the idea of a September 24th grand finale show at the Spectrum. Jones will be reexamined in 3 weeks and doctors speculate more of a November return. Peltz Boxing hopes the symbolic sports temple on South Broad street is still standing at that time so they can put on what was expected to be one last classic night at the fights in a building that produced some of the best ever in this town. With the wrecking ball scheduled to hit the Spectrum on Oct 31, it is not looking good...

As predicted, Jamaal "Da Truth" Davis and Manuel Guzman went toe to toe and produced the fight of the night in their 6 round Jr. Middleweight contest which Davis won by unanimous decision. In the beginning, we saw the Jamaal Davis of old, storming out of the corner and dishing out an old school case of ass whoop. Davis got right in Guzman's chest and fired off hard hooks to the both rib cage areas, overhand rights and overall was just a mean bully in the first two frames. But the tide started to shift as the fight wore on. Guzman, a noted tough guy found an opening late in round 3. While working inside, Davis kept leaving his left down and Guzman started to take advantage by continuously connecting with hard overhand rights upstairs. Guzman landed real some bombs in rounds 4 and 5 as Davis kept on his attack. There was also a spot where it looked like Davis was going to stop Guzman in the 4th. The crowd loved it and the fight hung in the balance down the stretch. In the final round Davis conditioning advantage came into play as he was still ready to rock while Guzman slowed down. Davis activity and pressure in round 6 won him the round and likely won him the fight. The final score cards read 58 - 56 x 2 and 60 - 54 all in favor of Davis. The official that scored the fight 60 - 54 should be fired ASAP! 58-56 is much more accurate. Either way excellent fight and the best showing for Davis in some time.

In other action

Ronald Cruz and Julias Edmunds continuously exchanged blows at short range for 3 round until a cut in Edmunds ear caused the doctor to stop the fight between rounds. Edmunds corner was fuming but Cruz told them "I'll see you again". This was breaking down into a very good fight and a rematch is definitely in order. This goes in the books as a TKO3 win for Cruz who improves to 6-0.

Frankie Trader boxed masterfully for 3 rounds but as the fight went to the second half, it looked like Francisco Palacios was chasing him with a chainsaw as the Connecticut brawler turned the tide and put on a pressure that had Trader befuddled. Good fight with the momentum making a drastic change. Trader got the nod on the scorecards unanimously.

Josh Mercado had a good showing in his pro debut as he won a unanimous decision over Terrell Boggs.

Ryan Carson won his pro debut with a come-from-behind, one punch TKO over Osnel Charles in the 2nd round.

Jerson Ravelo and Willis Locket brought the boo birds out early in what amounted to a flat out stinker of a co-main event. Ravelo won by unanimous decision.