Undefeated welterweight contender Mike Jones (23-0, 18 KOs) has taken advantage of the snowy conditions in Philadelphia to help prepare for his rematch with Jesus Soto-Karass (24-5-3, 16 KOs) on Feb. 19 at the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas.
“Shoveling snow at home has been an excellent workout for my arms,” said Jones, who has shoveled a-near-Philadelphia record of 37.8 inches of snow over the 12-13 days that it’s fallen to date this winter. “I’m glad I stayed home for training this time (Jones has gone away for training for his fights over the last two years). I focus better. I don’t drink, smoke or go out so there’s no problem with distractions at home. It’s soothing being home.
“Plus, the snow workouts have made me stronger.” Jones, rated No. 2 by the WBO, No. 3 by the WBA, No. 3 by the IBF and No. 4 by the WBC, won a majority 10-round decision over Soto-Karass in their first fight Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX, to retain his NABO and NABA welterweight titles while winning the WBC Continental Americas belt.
The Jones-Soto-Karass fight, this time scheduled for 12 rounds, opens the 9:45 pm (EST) HBO telecast prior to a title fight featuring world bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel defending his title against two-division champion Nonito Donaire.
