MIAMI, FL (May 2, 2012) – Two-time world champion Randall “The Knock-out King” Bailey, arguably the biggest pound-for-pound single puncher in boxing, finally gets an opportunity to exorcise years of demon-like frustrations on June 9, when he takes on unbeaten Mike Jones for the vacant International Boxing Federation (“IBF”) Welterweight Championship, in the 12-round co-feature on the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley pay-per-view card, live from MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
For years, Bailey (42-7, 36 KOs) has been considered too much of a risk for some of today’s brightest stars. Awesome, one-punch knockout ability will do just that to a fighter’s reputation like Bailey’s. Ask Jackson Isei Bonsu and Frankie Figueroa, two of Bailey’s 36 knockout victims, who were literally out cold before they hit the mat, after getting chin-checked by a powerful Randall right.
“Randall Bailey has been frustrated most of his career,” his longtime manager Si Stern said. “He is unquestionably the strongest puncher in the world today and, I know this may sound crazy to some, maybe in boxing history. Just look at his knockout record. He’s been shunned by a lot of top fighters out there today. Why? They know Randall can take them out with one punch. History tells us that dangerous punchers like Randall have always been avoided.
“Jones (IBF #1) didn’t want to fight Randall (IBF #2), either. The IBF pushed the issue and said that Jones had to fight Randall or he’d lose his world title shot. Once he wins the world title again – he was too young when he was world champion – he knows the money will follow and that’s what has kept Randall going. He has no fear of Mayweather, Pacquiao or any of the other top welterweights. Randall knows that he can knock out any of them because of his power. Mayweather doesn’t want to fight Randall, who loves stand-up fighters like Pacquiao. His past problems have been against opponents who hit and run. Guys who stand and fight have never been a problem for Randall.”
The 37-year-old Bailey, now promoted by DiBella Entertainment, made his pro debut in 1996, when Jones was sweet sixteen. Randall won his first 21 pro fights, all by knockouts, including his World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) light welterweight title-winning performance against Carlos Gonzalez in 1999, followed by two successful title defenses against Hector Lopez and Rocky Martinez. In 2002, Bailey stopped Demetrio Ceballos in the third round to become the Interim World Boxing Association (“WBA”) Light Welterweight Champion.
After losing his IBF 140-pound title shot in 2009 to Juan Urango, Bailey moved up in weight to welterweight, and he is unbeaten in four fights in that division with three victories, including the Bonsu knockout in their IBF title eliminator, and a no decision.
“I pleaded with him to get out of the 140-pound division,” Stern note. “He walks around at 154 pounds, so making weight is no longer a struggle for him at welterweight. I bet he’s within a few pounds of making weight for the Jones fight right now, working out in Florida with his trainer, John David Jackson. Jones has never fought anybody like Randall Bailey; he will knock out Jones.”
Five of Bailey’s seven career losses have been to world champions: Urango, Miguel Cotto, Ener Julio, and Diosbelys Hurtado. Randall has defeated three world champions: Gonzalez, Corley, and Juan Polo Perez.
Like fine wine, Randall Bailey keeps getting better with age, something Stern believes Jones will discover June 9, probably at the end of single, concussive punch.
Andrade & Cisneros on ESPN Boxing: FNF Special Edition on May 5th
On Saturday May 5, the evening of the Floyd Mayweather Jr.- Miguel Cotto title bout, undefeated 2008 U.S. Olympian Junior Middleweight contender Demetrius Andrade (16-0, 11 KOs) will meet The Contender, Season Two participant Rudy Cisneros (12-3, 11 KOs) in the 10-round main event in an ESPN Boxing: FNF Special Edition presented by Corona Extra. Saturday’s card will air at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2 HD, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN3 from Uncasville, Conn. The card is presented by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing.
On ESPN2 Peter Manfredo Jr., filling in for Teddy Atlas, will be ringside with Joe Tessitore at Mohegan Sun describing the action. On ESPN Deportes, Alex Pombo and Delvin Rodriguez will call the fights with Leopoldo Gonzalez and Pablo Viruega in the studio.
SOSZYNSKI SIGNS WITH ROY JONES, JR.’S SQUARE RING PROMOTIONS
PENSACLOA, Fla. (May 2, 2012) – “We are pleased to announce the signing of Grzegorz Soszyński to an exclusive promotional agreement with Roy Jones, Jr.’s Square Ring Promotions,” said Square Ring CEO, John Wirt. “I’d like to thank Gregory and his managers, Radek Konder and Wes Chylicki for their professionalism and assistance in closing this deal. We understand that Gregory and his team had a choice and are confident that we will be able to showcase his talent and entertaining style of fighting to boxing fans.”
“Gregory is a very entertaining and skilled fighter, and I’m looking forward to promoting his fights. And as the No. 3 top light heavyweight from Poland based in Chicago, we think that there are number of great opportunities available to him both here in the U.S. as well as overseas,” said Roy Jones, Jr., President of Square Ring.
Soszyński (21-1-1, 10 KO’s) is the former International Polish Light Heavyweight Champion and trains in Chicago with highly regarded Sam Colona. “Grzegorz is not only a very good boxer but also a great human being. We clicked from the beginning perfectly, and I wish every trainer could have a fighter with his skills and dedication to hard work,” said Colonna.
After four months of training in Chicago at the Chicago Boxing Club, Soszyński, in his first fight in the US, soundly defeated Rayco Saunders in an unanimous decision to win the IBF North America Light Heavyweight Championship. “Every fighter dreams about fulfilling his dream, his potential, and I know that signing with Square Ring was the right move and will give me an opportunity to do just that, and I plan to seize on that opportunity,” said Soszyński.