American welterweight Mike Jones remained undefeated Saturday with a unanimous decision over Puerto Rico's Henry Bruseles at Bally's Atlantic City.
Former junior-welterwight champ Kendall Holt did not fare as well. With his close friend Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants looking on, Holt lost his bid to get back into title contention with a sixth-round knockout loss to Kaizer Mabuza of South Africa.
Jones (20-0, 16 KOs) retained his regional belt, which brings with it a top-10 rating in the WBA. He is ranked eighth by the organization and 11th by the IBF.
Bruseles, who had not lost in five years, kept the fight close early, but Jones dominated down the stretch behind a sharp jab and crisp right hands.
Judges Luis Rivera (97-92), Alan Rubenstein (98-92) and Walast Roldan (98-92) all had Jones winning comfortably, as did the Associated Press (98-92).
``This fight was real important,'' Jones said. ``I'm not disappointed at all (about going the distance). I like going 10 rounds against better competition. He's a veteran.''
Mabuza (23-6-3, 13 KOs) became the mandatory challenger for the winner of next Saturday's junior-welterweight unification fight between IBF titleholder Juan Urango of Colombia and WBC titleholder Devon Alexander at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Mabuza dominated Holt (25-4, 13 KOs), the former WBO champion, using an aggressive style to batter him with body shots and uppercuts.
``I could tell right away that I was too strong for him,'' Mabuza said. ``I could see that he didn't like getting hit to the body and that my uppercuts were hurting him.''
After the sixth round, referee Lindsey Page stopped the scheduled 12-round fight on the advice of Holt's trainer, Aroz Gist. Holt and Gist were not available for comment afterward.
``I thought Kendall won the first round, but after that, it was the fastest downhill (slide) in the ring that I've ever seen,'' said Carl Moretti of promoter Top Rank. ``After a while, it was like (Holt) was a heavy bag and he could hit him whenever he wanted.
``I know 20 junior-welterweights that could beat (Holt) right now.''
