Good article about Mike Jones.

Mike Jones. The name is ordinary. The talent, perhaps, is much, much more.


Jones is a Philadelphia welterweight seemingly on the verge of big things in boxing. He's big for his division (6 feet). He's lanky. He's a good puncher who also has boxing skills. He's a good story -- a single father of two who holds down a day job at Home Depot while pursuing his boxing dreams, which began when his dad got him started by taking him to the Philly gym of none other than legendary heavyweight champion Joe Frazier.


"I picked it up pretty good," Jones said. "I was determined and had a good work ethic. They threw me into my first amateur fight one month after I started, and I lost. It made me work harder and I stopped my next 11, 12 foes. I eventually sparred with the guy who first beat me and I beat him up pretty good."


After 50 or 60 amateur fights, Jones turned pro in 2005. Now he's 27. He's no kid, so the time to strike is right now, and his team -- Hall of Fame promoter Russell Peltz, managers Doc Nowicki and Jim Williams and trainer Vaughn Jackson -- knows it.


It wasn't easy, but Jones scored a main event on Showtime's "ShoBox" on Friday night (11 ET/PT) in the ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., where Jones -- who is developing a fan following -- will be the crowd favorite.


Frankly, Jones should have been headlining "ShoBox" or ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" a couple of years ago, but at least now he will get his chance when he fights Puerto Rico's Irving Garcia (17-4-3, 8 KOs), a solid enough opponent who might pose a decent test in a fight ESPN2 rejected before Showtime grabbed it.


Garcia was in one of the most exciting fights in "ShoBox" history. Although he lost via fourth-round knockout, Garcia dropped Luis Carlos Abregu twice in their May 2009 brawl. Still, the story of Friday night isn't so much the matchup. It's all about Jones: Can he impress enough against a credible foe to launch himself into serious contention in a division top-heavy with stars but in need of fresh faces?


"I think this is a very good time for Mike Jones. It's his time to shine," Jackson said. "He's at his peak right now. It's like the dominoes are finally starting to fall. Mike's not as big, name-wise, as Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, but he hasn't yet had the same great opportunities. When he gets the opportunity, he'll be great."


"Not only do I consider it Mike's toughest fight, but I consider it the last before something really substantial," Peltz said. "If he doesn't stub his toe against Irving Garcia, he's on the doorstep."


Jones (21-0, 17 KOs) has been mentioned for possible bigger fights on HBO or Showtime. There's been talk of an attractive showdown with Antwone Smith (18-1-1, 10 KOs), the Lou DiBella-promoted Miami fighter who faces Houston's Lanardo Tyner (23-3, 14 KOs) in Friday's "ShoBox" co-feature.


There has also been talk of a potential fall title shot against Andre Berto, something Jones would love.


"It would be a dream come true," he said. "I've been preparing for this for years. You just want to get a piece of the pie. I'm ready.


"I'd try to use my height, mix it up. When he throws exchanges, he leaves himself open. I see myself catching him and knocking him out."


After Garcia, Jones just might be ready for Berto. He has been inching toward the opportunity, even if the pace isn't as quick as it should be, which is mainly because it's been hard for Jones to get on television despite the best efforts of Peltz.


Peltz is close to Top Rank, which used Jones to headline a "Top Rank Live" show on Fox Sports Net against Henry Bruseles in February. And in April, Jones got the co-feature slot on the card headlined by Sergio Martinez's middleweight championship victory against Kelly Pavlik. But that fight, a tremendous fifth-round knockout performance against Hector Munoz, was not televised.


Still, Jones' reputation has been growing with every fight, and with that comes added media attention, which he seems to be enjoying.


"I'm happy to be getting so much positive feedback," Jones said. "But there's always going to be somebody who hasn't seen me fight before that I want to look good for. Like they say, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. I want to do that every time I fight."


You won't find Jones complaining, at least publicly, about how tough it has been to get attention from the television networks -- although that seemingly is about to change.


You also won't hear him calling himself great. He'd only like a chance to prove it.


"I'm humble and don't like to brag or boast," he said. "But on fight night, I let my fists do the talking. My fists are rather loud.


"My No. 1 goal is to be No. 1 and nothing less than that. I'm getting closer but not there yet, not where I want to be. My ultimate goal: world champion."

I 've talked to Mike a couple of times and he is just an all around great guy. Nice, outgoing and kind of quiet. It's always funny when you walk into the gym and you hear all rap and hip-hop.Then some days as I walk up the steps you hear soul,and motown all I can do is chuckle and say "yep Mike has taken over the radio again."

I like Jones and he has been under the radar.Looks to have some things to polish...wings it a bit and has great range not always utilized but is definitive with power,eager and has time.Needs to make the most of exposure against Garcia who arguably was yanked outta that Ambregu fight a bit quick...barley.Not sure he would get a Berto....think Berto is in limbo of a sort in development and they'll look to put Andre in big name "sink or swim" moment rather then vs. a up and comer.Thanks for the heads up...look forward to seeing him.

I've never heard of him before, but his record is relatively impressive for a prospect.

Great read, thanks for sharing.

I've only seen Jones once before against Bruseles. I gotta admit...I was underwhelmed by his performance in that fight. Hopefully he looks a lot better in this one.

Yes he did look a little sluggish in the Bruseles fight. When the wife and I seen him against Munoz on the Pavlik undercard I was very impressed. I don't think he got hit with 1 single punch to be honest. He does throw a big looping right hand or sweeping right hand at times but I think if he could concentrate on a straight right hand to the chest,then bring that up to the chin he could be unstoppable ala Tommy Hearns.

Guys have good nights and bad nights.....mike jones is definatly a good fighter. Pretty tall kid too. I'm looking forward to this weekdend. But even more i'm excited about seeing antwoine smith again. This dude has upset quite a few guys so far