In two contrasting fights, “Kid” Carson Jones dealt Tyrone “The One” Brunson the first loss of his career in the main event while former WBO junior lightweight world champion Mike Anchondo won an eight-round split decision over previously undefeated Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera in the co-feature on an exciting night of fights on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME® Friday before a capacity crowd at the Chumash Casino Resort.
Referee Dr. James Jenkin stepped in between a barrage of punches by Jones (24-7-1, 15 KOs) against a defenseless Brunson (21-1-1, 20 KOs) at 2:39 in the third round, exposing the heralded Philadelphian for the first time in his young career and giving Jones the TKO.
“I’m a good fighter,” said the Oklahoma City, Okla., resident Jones. “Everybody thinks that just because I have seven losses that I’m just coming in as an opponent. But that’s not me. I have seven losses because I had bad management but now that I have a great manager and promoter who are able to take care of me.
“I thought they stopped the fight too late,” he continued. “Man, I was throwing punches forever. I threw 100 punches and they still didn’t stop it. They should have stopped it earlier.”
Jones started the third round looking like he knew exactly what he had to do. He circled around and proceeded to land a right hand followed by a left hook that dropped Brunson to the canvas midway through the third round for the first time in his career. Up by the count of four, Brunson got back to his feet but was never able to counter Jones’ aggressive, attacking style. Brunson refused to speak with the media after the fight. He holds the world record for most consecutive first-round knockouts at 19.
SHOWTIME analyst Steve Farhood liked what he saw in Jones. “Carson Jones did the right thing in that he saw a weakness in Brunson and that weakness was how low he brought back the left jab,” he said. “He took advantage of the low left hand and from that point on it was Brunson not doing what he had to do as a fighter. He was exposed. He didn’t respond well. He didn’t do one of the two things you have to do in that situation: You hold or you punch back. And he did neither.”
Farhood said the night’s first televised fight was in direct contrast to the main event pitting two fighters who may not be the most talented guys, but are pure fighters. And he admitted on air that he felt the wrong guy won the eight-round super lightweight match.
“I scored the fight and I thought Herrera won by two points,” said Farhood, who said fellow analyst Antonio Tarver agreed with him. The way the three judges saw it was 77-75, 77-75 Anchondo, 79-73 Herrera.
“He’s a tough fighter,” said Anchondo (30-2, 19 KOs) of La Puente, Calif. “He came to fight. I believe I did enough in the first half to win the fight. I thought I did enough to not get a split decision but it is what it is.”
Said Herrera of Riverside, Calif., who falls to 13-1 (6 KOs): “I’m shocked. I thought I won the fight. I thought the first two or three rounds were close but I won the rest. He had those two shots in the last round and that was it. I thought I had it in the bag. I thought I was home free. I’m just in complete shock. Rematch? Why should I give him a rematch? I clearly won the fight. The fans saw it and everyone at home saw it. What can you do?”
The doubleheader was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.
Jones said he’d love another shot to fight on SHOWTIME. But he’s ready to hang up the gloves for the year. “I fought nine times this year,” he said. “I’m going to chill this Christmas. I’m going to take a break. Last year I trained all through Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’m ready to just chill.”
