Boxing News Boxing News
Unbeaten welterweight Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, PA, will box Gilbert Venegas, of Chicago, IL, in the scheduled eight-round main event Friday evening, May 9, at the New Alhambra, Swanson and Ritner Streets in South Philadelphia. First fight at 7.30 p.m.
Jones, 25, went the limit for the first time in 13 fights when he earned a unanimous eight-round decision over Germaine Sanders, of Chicago, on March 28 at the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, NY. The Jones-Sanders fight was televised by ESPN 2. The result left Jones at 13-0 (12).
Ironically, Sanders was a replacement for Venegas, who withdrew for “personal reasons.”
Jones also has KO’d former world-title challenger Israel “Pito” Cardona, of Hartford, CT, and Doel Carrasquillo, of Lancaster, PA. Venegas, 31, has a 10-5-3 record with seven knockouts.
A pro since 1999, Venegas drew over 10 rounds with world-rated Jesus Soto-Karass, of Los Mochis, Mexico, last year. Prior to that, Venegas KO’d Edward Paredes (currently 18-2), of Hollywood, FL, in three rounds.
Venegas also boxed a draw with unbeaten Henry Crawford (now 19-0-1), of Paterson, NJ. He has been stopped once—on cuts—by Francisco Rincon, of Dallas, TX, in four rounds in 2006.
Six preliminary fights complete the May 9 card and include: Victor Vasquez, Philadelphia, PA, vs. Ryan Belasco, Wilmington, DE, 6 rounds, junior welterweights; Larry Robinson, Philadelphia, PA, vs. Julio Cesar Matthews, Allentown, PA, 6 rounds, cruiserweights; Dennis Hasson, Philadelphia, PA, vs. Charles Kirby, Philadelphia, PA, 4 rounds, middleweights; Pedro Martinez, Philadelphia, PA, vs. Ahmed Samir, New York, NY, 4 rounds, cruiserweights; Travis Thompson, Pottstown, PA, vs. Tommy Garcia, Hartford, CT. Philadelphians Gabriel Rosado, junior middleweight, and Anthony Flores, junior lightweight, also will box on the card.
CN8 will televise the Jones-Venegas fight on 24-hour delay as part of a two-hour boxing card.
Tickets priced at $40, $55 and $65 are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc. (215-765-0922) and at the offices of Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. (215-364-9000). They also can be purchased online at www.peltzboxing.com.
