By Jason Kim: Unbeaten welterweight contender Mike Jones (24-0, 18 KO’s) got an important last Saturday night in defeating fringe welterweight contender Jesus Soto-Karass (24-6-3, 16 KO’s) by a 12 round unanimous decision at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Instead of trying to slug it with Soto-Karass like he did last time they fought in November 2010, the 27-year-old Jones, ranked #2 WBA, #3 IBF, #4 WBC, opted to move, box and throw pot shot power shots. It worked, as Jones was able to win a convincing decision by the scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111.

Jones’ headbutts also had a huge impact in the fight, because he cut Soto-Karass up with the numerous headbutts that occurred. Some of them weren’t Jones’ fault, but fair amount were clearly as a result of Jones coming forward with his head lowered. It was almost like watching light welterweight Timothy Bradley fight. Jones doesn’t lack arm length like Bradley and doesn’t need to get in really close to land his shots. However, Jones often collided heads with Soto-Karass while he was attempting to throw body shots. Jones likes to throw body shots and his head seems to be in the lead when he’s trying to throw his shots.

Jones bounced around the ring most of the fight, jabbing on the move and stopping to take the fight to Soto-Karass every now and then to land mostly single power shots to the head and body. Jones, like always, looked stiff, slow and over-muscular. His hand speed was lacking and his defense was poor. HBO seemed to be tripping over themselves at how good Jones’ defense was against Soto-Karass.

I didn’t see any defense from Jones other than his movement. Soto-Karass was able to hit Jones every time Jones would stop or slow down. What is really noticeable about Jones is his inability to block or get out of the way of a left hook. I mean Jones has no defense whatsoever against a left other than running. Jones got hit every time Soto-Karass threw his left hook. Jones just can’t cover up for anything and seems to have a huge hole in his defense. While it didn’t matter against the B level Soto-Karass, it will if/when Jones faces WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto. Jones would have been knocked out easily last night had this been Berto, because Jones has too flaws, and is too slow to beat a guy like Berto. Bob Arum was wise to match him up against fringe contender Soto-Karass, but Jones will be in trouble when he’s finally matched against a better fighter.