As unbeaten Mike Jones, of Philadelphia, PA, who is 24-0, 18 K0s, and is ranked the #1 welterweight in the world behind WBO champion Manny Pacquiao, prepares to meet Raul Munoz (21-13-1, 16 KOs), of Leon, Mexico, on Saturday, June 25, at South Philly Arena, he has had an excellent training camp.  Here are some quotes from Jones:

Mikes Jones Comments

• On facing non-ranked Raul Munoz on June 25:  “I’m a professional.  This is my job.  Anytime I go out, whenever I go out, I’m going to put my best effort forth.  I’m going to prepare myself like it’s a world championship fight because I’m trying my best to be one of the greatest out there.  That’s my dream.”

• On fighting in his hometown for the first time in more than two years:  “This fight means a lot to me, obviously, because I’m back home for the first time in more than two years.  I want to look my best when I’m at home, just like I do when I’m anywhere else.  It’s kind of a different feeling when you’re at home, because you really want to perform.  Like Manny Pacquiao says, I want to do it for the fans.  That’s what I want to do.  I want to look my best for the fans.  I want to look great in there.”

• What Jones learned from his two fights with Jesus Soto-Karass:  “If I stick to the game plan and be patient, great things will happen.  Those fights were a learning experience to help me with my future fights.”

• On the second Soto-Karass fight:  “I wanted to show everybody that I could box.  I can punch.  I can do it all.  On any given night, I can bring out the boxer, I can bring out the slugger.  I’m just working on my game…to be the best at both of them.  It’s satisfying to know I can go the distance.  I’m going to be fighting guys ranked number 2, number 3, guys that can’t be knocked out. I always knew I could go the distance but I wanted to show the world that I could and be a good boxer.”

• On being ranked #1 by the WBO:  “I’ve heard about it.  I rarely look at that but it’s impossible not to.  It’s great to be looked at that way.  I’m a work in progress.  I’m always working to try to get better.”

• Future plans:  “I want a big fight, anybody in the Top 10, whatever the fans want.  I think I’m ready for a title shot right now.  It doesn’t hurt to get more seasoning.  It doesn’t hurt to get a couple more fights before I go for a title shot because I know when I get in my best shape I can contend with the best of them.”

• On his ultimate goal of fighting Manny Pacquiao:  “I can get a call any day to fight a guy like Manny Pacquiao so I gotta be in great shape all the time.  As for me, I feel I can beat him because I got 100% confidence in myself.  I feel as though I can beat anybody in the welterweight division.  Pacquiao will bring far more than exposure.  Any time you fight a Manny Pacquiao you’re also going to see seven digits ($) so that’s gotta be a dream come true for me and my family.”

• When did you start boxing:  “I’ve been training since I was 15 years old, hard…non-stop.  I always wanted to be a champion since I stepped foot in the boxing ring.  I wanted to be great and I’m motivated to be one of the great fighters in the world.”

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Mike Jones vs. Raul Munoz, co-promoted by Top Rank, Inc., Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., and Joe Hand Promotions, takes place Saturday, June 25, at the South Philly Arena, 7 West Ritner Street (next to Forman Mills).  The scheduled 10-round contest will be televised live by Fox Sports Net at 10 pm EST as part of the Top Rank Live! Series.  First of 7 fights: 8 pm.