New York (October 24, 2008) – Former WBO junior welterweight world champion Randall Bailey is looking as dominant as ever, as seen Wednesday night during DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing series at BB King’s Blues Club in New York City. Bailey was in total command in winning a rematch against fellow former WBO world champion DeMarcus Corley – avenging a 2003 points defeat in the process..
Bailey (38-6, 34 KOs) kept the experienced Corley at bay all evening, utilizing his ever-lethal right hand; widely regarded as the most dangerous in the 140 pound division. A Bailey right dropped Corley in round three and the Miami, Florida native went on to cruise to an eight-round unanimous decision victory on scores of 79-72 twice and 78-73.
“Randall Bailey showed last night that he’s ready to challenge again for the junior welterweight world championship. He was willing to take this rematch against DeMarcus Corley on short notice and made it look easy. Randall will fight any champion, anytime, anywhere. If Timothy Bradley’s or Andreas Kotelnik’s people are reading this, let’s make a fight. The same goes for any contender willing to fight us for the vacant IBF belt,” said DBE president Lou DiBella.
A winner in 11 of his last 12 fights, Bailey is currently rated #4 IBF, #6 WBC and #10 WBA. With last night’s victory, the 34-year-old Bailey won for the third time in as many tries in 2008. He captured the WBC Latino junior welterweight title in January – stopping Anthony Mora in five rounds, and this past August 6, “The Knock-Out King” iced Dairo Esalas in 46 seconds.
Since turning professional in 1996, Bailey has enjoyed a stellar career that’s included a spectacular first-round knockout over Carlos “Bolillo” Gonzalez to capture the WBO world crown, followed by two successful title defenses. In February 2002, Bailey knocked out Demetrio Ceballos in three rounds to win the interim WBA world championship.
DEMETRIUS ANDRADE SENSATIONAL IN PRO-DEBUT
Demetrius Andrade was the most sought after Olympian following the 2008 Olympics. Anyone who witnessed him competing in the amateurs always said, as good as he was in the amateur ranks, he would only be that much better as a professional. As both of his co- promoters Joe DeGuardia of Star Boxing and Art Pelullo of Banner Promotions have stated time and time again, “Demetrius has all the tools to be the next big superstar in boxing.” Those tools, which include lightening quick hands, along with an excellent jab, and crisp combination punching to both the head and body, were all on display in his pro-debut, televised live nationally on Versus, Thursday October 23rd from the Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights, Washington. Andrade completely destroyed his opponent Patrick Cape (4-3, 2 KOs) stopping him at :24 seconds of the second round.
Andrade, the first 2008 U.S. Olympian to make his pro-debut, came out stalking Cape from the opening bell, measuring his opponent up with his long jab. When Andrade got close enough he would unleash a devastating left hand right down the middle that repeatedly snapped Cape’s head back and had him reeling just seconds into the fight. Cape realizing that he would not stand a chance with Andrade by staying on the outside attempted to get in close and tie up Andrade. Showing tremendous poise and ring generalship, especially for someone making their pro- debut, Andrade would flurry while on the inside with crisp combinations to both the head and body not allowing his opponent to get a breather. At the end of the first round with Cape holding his right arm, Andrade unleashed two thundering left hooks to the body, followed by an overhand left that dropped Cape for the count of nine. The left to the head was what put Cape down, but the second left hook to the body was the real damaging blow. Cape was literally saved by the bell as the round ended before the referee could signal the resumption of the ring hostilities.
Andrade began the second round going right at Cape looking to put him away. A straight left hand landed flush on Cape’s jaw while was trying to pull away and Cape went down immediately. Rather then even start his count the referee called a halt to the contest at :24 seconds of the second round.
It was a great showing for the highly touted, former amateur world champion. Although it was just his first fight, for those watching it was hard to disagree with the notion that Andrade is truly something special. Look for Andrade to be back in action very shortly.