WBA Cruiser Titlist Jones Stops Marrone In Florida

Defending his WBA cruiserweight crown for just the second time in three years, Guillermo Jones had little difficulty in nullifying the challenge of former heavyweight prospect Mike Marrone at Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL.

From the start, this was a mismatch as 26 year old Floridian Marrone, who had gone 2-3 over his last five outings, proved unable to avoid the punches of 39 year old Panamanian Jones.

Jones, who turned pro as a 6’4 tall welterweight in 1993, hurt Marrone in the first frame several times, landing the jab at will along with right hands.

Marrone started the second briskly but soon was holding more than he was fighting before Jones had the challenger in trouble again at the end of the round.

The third picked up where the second left off with Jones schooling Marrone in a one-sided affair. The fourth saw Marrone go defensive and while the challenger did get in a good right hand and two decent left hooks, Jones was dishing out a lesson.

The fifth saw Marrone try to come forward at times but too often stood at the end of Jones’ punches and paid the price. Marrone tried brawling at times but was ineffective.

In the closing seconds, Jones was battering a cornered Marrone, who slumped to the canvas on one knee after fielding a particularly hard right hand. Marrone nearly took the full count before standing up as the round ended.

Jones started the sixth looking to end matters and a desperate Marrone landed a few good punches but it wasn’t near enough to stop the shelling he was receiving at the hands of the champion.

A shaky Marrone fell twice on his own accord and was reeling around the ring before going to a knee again from a right, left combination.

Marrone bravely got up at the count of eight only to have his corner stop the bout a few seconds later at 1:55 of the sixth round.

Jones improves to 38-3-2 (30), while Marrone falls to 20-4 (15).

Also on the bill, light middleweight Joey Hernandez, 20-1-1 (11), outpointed Elco Garcia, 25-8 (12), over 12 to win the vacant USNBC strap.