Randall Bailey notches 44th career win Working way back into welterweight mix

Three-time, two-division world champion Randall "KO King" Bailey (44-8, 37 KOs) returned to the ring last Saturday night in Tampa for his first fight in 13 months, defeating Ecuador welterweight Humberto "Bam Bam" Toledo (41-11-2, 25 KOs) by way of an eighth-round disqualification for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International belt.

Bailey battered Toledo from the opening bell right up to the bizarre ending, in which Toledo suddenly and surprisingly took a knee in the middle of the ring, only to get back up and get disqualified for pushing referee Frank Santore, Jr. into the ropes.

"I wasn't really surprised because I saw the way he was responding in the first couple of rounds," Bailey explained.  "I was hitting him hard and often and he was looking to the referee to find a way out of the fight.  The ref wasn't cooperating with him, so in the eighth round, he took a knee, jumped up and pushed the ref."

Bailey's veteran manager, Si Stern, couldn't believe what he was watching.  "Randall looked very strong," Stern said.  "I hadn't seen him move so well in years.  Toledo started hitting Randall behind the head a bunch of times and below the belt.  In the eighth round, he went down to one knee in the middle of the ring, got up, grabbed the ref and pushed him into the ropes.

"Randall proved he can still fight.  He may be 39 but he has the body of somebody in their mid-twenties.  He was never in wars and his body hasn't taken too much punishment over the years.  Randall will be rated in the WBC's top 10 because he's the new WBC International champion.  Next, I'd like to get him into a tougher fight and then a title eliminator.  If everything goes according to plans, I think Randall will be fighting for another world title this summer."

Now a promotional free agent, Bailey had Chico Rivas as his chief second for the first time.  "It was no difference this fight (with Rivas as head trainer)," Bailey noted.  "He's been with me forever (as his assistant trainer).  Everything was smooth.  This is my last run and I feel good.

"After the fight, I felt pretty good other than needing to get my hands use to hitting somebody so hard with small gloves (unlike larger gloves used for sparring).  I hurt both of my hands in the second or third round.  No damage but they swelled up.  It had been a whole year since I punched that hard wearing small gloves."

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is the WBC welterweight champion, as well as the WBC and World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Welterweight title holder.  If Mayweather gives up the WBC 147-pound belt, Bailey could be right in the mix of contenders.  If he had a choice, though, Bailey would rather take on World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Timothy Bradley.

"I'd want Bradley if I could pick," Bailey concluded.  "He's avoided me his whole career."

In any case, though, one of boxing's most lethal pound-for-pound punchers is back, Randall Bailey.

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Make sure to check out my regular weekly boxing show SecondsOut Radio, at http://www.secondsout.com/radio/. On this week's edition of SecondsOut Radio, we begin by critiquing the major fights of this past weekend, and explaining what they really meant. Plus, we focus upon how the promoters and television networks did or did not bother to adjust to the continuing economic crisis. We discuss the Randall Bailey-Frankie Figueroa 140-pound title eliminator in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, Friday, April 3, on ESPN2, won by Bailey with a stunning one-punch, fourth-round knockout; the Alexander Povetkin-Jason Estrada heavyweight fight in Düsseldorf, Germany, Sat., April 4, on ARD, won by Povetkin by a lackluster decision; the Timothy Bradley-Kendall Holt 140-pound WBC/WBO title unification fight in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Sat., April 4, on Showtime, won by Bradley by unanimous decision; and the lightweight pay-per-view fights from Austin, Texas, USA, Sat., April 4, including Edwin Valero stopping Antonio Pitalua in two rounds to win the vacant WBC belt, Michael Katsidis defeating Jesus Chavez when Chavez did not answer the bell after the seventh round, and Vicente Escobedo winning an entertaining ten-round decision over Carlos Hernandez. This coming Saturday, April 11, two of the most-avoided fighters in boxing will face each other. Paul Williams, this time fighting as a middleweight, will take on the veteran Winky Wright in the main event of a card which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and telecast live in the USA on HBO. The co-feature will be a 12-round heavyweight fight between contender Chris Arreola and the veteran former title challenger, Jameel McCline. We had a chance to speak with Paul Williams, Winky Wright, and Chris Arreola on recent media conference calls. It is free to listen to or download SecondsOut Radio, but you must register to gain access to it. Just click here, http://www.secondsout.com/radio/, and listen, learn, and enjoy

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Figueroa plans to put Bailey into checkmate position Friday night on ESPN

NEW YORK – NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa feels every fight is like a chess match and he plans to put former 2-time world champion Randall Bailey into a checkmate position Friday night on ESPN2 during their scheduled 12-round IBF title eliminator in Memphis.

The winner between IBF No. 3 rated Bailey (38-6, 34 KOs) and No. 6 ranked Figueroa (20-2, 13 KOs) will earn a title shot against IBF champion Juan Urango.

Figueroa, riding a 12-fight win streak dating back to 2004, broke camp today in southern Florida and tomorrow he heads to Memphis. “Bailey’s a big banger who uses a single punch – right hand – to stop most of his opponents,” Figueroa said. “I’m not worried about what he’s bringing, more about what adjustments will be made during the fight. The key is figuring out your opponent and making the key adjustments to win. I’m very confident. I love to fight and this is what I do – fight! Figuring out a fighter and making adjustments in the mix is like playing chess. Both fighters come into the fight with a game plan but adjustments have to be made during the fight. I have to put him into a checkmate position to win the fight and reach my goal of winning a world title. I’m not looking past him, but I have one eye on Urango because that’s what drives me. It’s part of me, part of my goal, to be world champion. I’ve overcome obstacles to reach this point and I need to win this fight to have a shot at winning a world title.”

Also rated No. 11 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBA, the 30-year-old Puerto Rican-American, born in Spanish Harlem and fighting out of the Bronx, is now handled by Roy Jones, Jr.’s Square Ring Promotions.

“I’m in the best shape of my career,” Figueroa added. “This training camp has been the best due to my manager, Sal LoNano, sending me to Boston for training at Mike Boyle’s for strength and conditioning. It continued in Florida with some great work with my trainer, Eggie Martinez, and valuable sparring sessions.”

For more information about Gato Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com.

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Figueroa gets shot against Bailey in April 3 IBF title eliminator

NEW YORK– NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa (20-2, 13 KOs), now known as Gato Figueroa, gets the opportunity that he’s worked hard for on April 3 when he takes on former WBO light welterweight champion Randall Bailey (38-6, 34 KOs) in an IBF title eliminator.

The winner between IBF No. 3 rated Bailey (No. 1 and 2 are unrated) and No. 6 ranked Figueroa, shown live on ESPN from Memphis, will earn a title shot against IBF champion Juan Urango.

“This is a phenomenal opportunity for me and I’m very happy that the fight has been made,” Figueroa said from his Miami-based training camp. “I want to thank my promoter, Square Ring and its CEO, John Wirt, and my manager, Sal LoNano, for making this happen. Nothing is going to stop me from winning this fight. I’ve been training hard, first at Mike Boyle’s (Training and Conditioning in Winchester, MA), and now in Miami with my former head trainer, Eggie Martinez, who is back in my corner. I can already tell the difference in my strength and conditioning. My sparring partners tell me I’m faster and have more pop. That’s all I needed to hear.”

Bailey has more experience than Figueroa, who has a 12-fight win streak dating back to 2004, having defeated the likes of Demarcus Corley, Carlos Gonzalez, Hector Lopez, Rudy Martinez and DeMetrio Ceballos. Bailey’s a knockout-artist who has stopped 34 of 38 victims, but Figueroa has never been knocked out as a pro. The 34-year old Bailey, 3-4 in world title fights, has been knocked out twice by Miguel Cotto and Diosbelys Hurtado. Randall lost a split decision in a 2007 IBF title eliminator to Herman Ngoudjo.

“Bailey has had his time but now it’s Gato time,” Figueroa added. “Bailey’s a great fighter. I’m not going to slam him; I’m preparing for him and will do my talking in the ring. I’m not looking past Bailey, but I am thinking about Urango because my goal is to be world champion. In order to achieve that, I have to get past Bailey to get a title shot against Urango.”

Figueroa is also rated No. 11 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBA. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican-American was born in Spanish Harlem, where Frankie was a 2-time New York City high school wrestling champion (14-0 as a senior). He was nicknamed, “El Gato” (The Cat), because he was the only one quick enough to catch a cat that was a mascot at his original gym in the Bronx.

For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com.

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©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

Figueroa following in path of Ward & Malignaggi

LAS VEGAS– Veteran boxing manager Sal LoNano has brought his fighter, NABF light welterweight champion Frankie “El Gato” Figueroa (20-2, 13 KOs), in from his Bronx home to the Boston area for a five-week training program at the famed Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in Winchester, Massachusetts.

LoNano is having Figueroa follow in the same path two of his better known fighters, “Irish” Micky Ward and former IBF light welterweight champion Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi, also traveled with tremendous results.

“In Frankie’s last few fights I noticed something wrong on his right side,” LoNano explained. “He was switching around to the right side (Figueroa is a southpaw) because he was in some pain I brought Micky and Paulie to Boyle’s because it’s the best finding physical weaknesses of pro athletes. A physical therapist evaluated Frankie and found the problem – intertwined cartilage in his right knee and a weak back. I knew something was wrong and it’s great they found out what I knew was wrong from watching him in fights and the gym.

“Boyle’s is the place to go for any athlete trying to get back on the right track. ‘Gato’ will work there and get strong, just like Micky and Paulie did, developing muscles not normally used in the fight game. For example, when Frankie threw a jab it didn’t have any power behind it because of his knee and back. He’ll work with his trainer at Boyle’s to correct the problem. Frankie will be back 100-percent, not 80 or 90 percent, and be ready to go to training camp in Vero Beach (FL) for four weeks prior to his next fight.”

Figueroa will workout at Boyle’s three days a week, two hours a day, for five weeks. After each session he is massaged-out and off days Frankie does light boxing-related workouts at a nearby gym.

“After one day of testing I realized that they’re very serious professionals,” Frankie said. “I was surprised because I thought the testing would be a lot of jumping and pulling. I’m expecting a big improvement and increases in my power, balance and speed. I’m for any edge that will help me reach my goal of becoming the undisputed light welterweight champion of the world. I take life as it comes; I’m humble but confident. I’ve won three titles (NABF & New York State light welterweight and WBC Intercontinental welterweight) but my job won’t be complete until I’m world champion. This strength-and-conditioning program is going to help me get there.”

Nicknamed “El Gato” – The Cat – because he was the only one quick enough to catch a cat that was a mascot at his original gym in the Bronx, Frankie is now promoted by Roy Jones. Jr’s Square Ring.

The 30-year-old Figueroa, a Puerto Rican-American born in Spanish Harlem, was 2-time New York City high school wrestler, 14-0 as a senior, who didn’t start boxing until eight years ago after taking advice from a friend. A U.S. Army veteran rated No. 5 by the IBF, as well as No. 10 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBA. Figueroa hopes to be matched in April against former world champion Randall Bailey in an IBF light welterweight title eliminator.

Figueroa, coming off of an 8-round decision last November against veteran Emmanuel Augustus, has won his last 12 fights and is unbeaten for the past four-plus years.

Frankie Figueroa and Emmanuel Augustus


For more information about Frankie Figueroa visit his web site at www.teamgato.com.

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©®™2007, 2008 All photos by "EL Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios, Khris Kirkpatrick Morrisey for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved

BAILEY PRIMED TO BECOME TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION; World-Rated & Former WBO 140 lbs. Champion Randall Bailey Dominates Corley – Seeks World Title Shot

New York– 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.

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JOEL JULIO TO HEADLINE APRIL 30 WEDNESDAY EDITION OF ESPN2 “FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS”; Columbian bomber to battle veteran Ishe Smith on way to title shot

TOTOWA, NJ– World ranked jr. middleweight contender Joel Julio returns to the ring on April 30, 2008, when he challenges veteran Ishe Smith in a 10 round bout from the River Rock Casino Resorts in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva. The bout will be broadcast live on a special Wednesday edition of ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights,” beginning at 9:00 pm ET.

“I am very excited to fight again on ESPN,” said Julio. “It is very important to me to look good against Ishe because I want to fight for a world title next. Ishe is a good fighter who will bring out the best in me.”

"Sometimes life and circumstances bring the best out of us all!" said Smith.

Julio (31-1, 29 KO’s) is ranked #4 by the IBF and #6 by the WBA and WBC. The 23-year-old Monteria, Colombia native has stopped 21 opponents within the first three rounds. He has won his last four bouts, three by knockout. In 2005 Julio was named “Prospect of the Year” by several media outlets, including ESPN.com. In his last bout on May 16, 2007, Julio blasted Mauro Lucero in one round (KO 1).

Smith (19-2, 9 KO’s) has won four of his last five bouts. The 29-year-old Las Vegas, NV native captured the vacant WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Championship on January 15, 2004, when he decisioned Randall Bailey (W 12). That same year Smith participated in “The Contender” series and lost a split decision to eventual champion Sergio Mora on September 12, 2004 (L 5). In his last bout on February 8, 2008, Smith crushed Carlos De La Cruz in two rounds (TKO 2).


For more info, Main Events: Donald Tremblay

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