Mike Jones is at the 7:00 press conference and the Bar & Grill. The impressive Philadelphia welterweight is holding court with a group of scribes but he?s a quiet type, the sort who would rather let his actions speak louder than any words. He says he?s ready for any welterweight ? Mayweather, Pacquaio or Berto ? but first he has to get my Sebastien Lujan on December 3 which would make him the IBF mandatory challenger. Jones adds that he thinks his movement would be the factor that would allow him to beat Berto. Jones, Wolak and Rodriguez each gave me excellent Biofile interviews which you can read here at BI in the following weeks.
Bob Arum was talking with some reporters about how he loves living out west in Vegas but still considers himself a New Yorker, as he has family here and regularly visits. The veteran promoter also says that he roots for all the New York teams, the Giants, Yankees and Knicks. Arum said he loves Vegas because it?s better suited to him now and he loves waking up in the mornings and seeing the mountains. Also driving to the office in the morning down Tropicana Ave he passes by the New York New York Hotel and seeing that is ?enough for me.?
Another reporter told me Pawel Wolak earned $18,000 for the first Rodriguez fight and will earn about $90,000 for the rematch on December 3 at Madison Square Garden.
Promoter Russell Peltz said Mike Jones adversary ? the former WBO title challenger Sebastien Lujan of Argentina has joined the training camp of his former conqueror Antonio Margarito. Lujan battled Margarito to a tough 12-round points loss in Atlantic City four years ago, memorably losing a piece of his ear in the process.
Inside the arena I walk by old pal Harold ?The Shadow? Knight. Knight, for those who don?t know, boxed Rocky Lockridge for the WBA Junior Lightweight title way back in the 1980′s ? he lost a close decision ? before having to retire due to a head injury. He worked as the assistant trainer for Lennox Lewis? entire pro career. Knight is in perfect health these days. He was at the Garden to check out Donaire with his son Harold Jr. who is a high school sophomore and aspires to be a doctor. Big Harold, who is about an inch taller than his pop, says Floyd Mayweather is his favorite boxer.
On our way inside the arena, I mention to Knight that Mike Jones has just walked by us. This seems to excite Knight who initiates a conversation with the Philadelphia contender. ?You?re old school, I really like watching you,? Knight tells the humble and soft-spoken Jones. Jones? friend-girl reaches into a bag and offers Knight a publicity photo of Jones in his stance. Jones, a gentleman, lowers down to the steps on his knees and elbows to carefully and meticulously sign the memorabila for Knight with a Sharpie given to him by Jay Seidman, the renowned official boxing program publisher. Jones is a concientous and considerate young man and will make a nice champion someday. I tell Knight that Jones reminds me in demeanor and ring style of Joe Louis, how he patiently and methodically stalks his opponents. ?Yeah, he?s an old school Philly fighter.?
