Randall Bailey, number three IBF rated Jr. Welter, entertained IBF numero six rated Francisco Figueroa in elimination bout with the winner earning a Juan Urango title fight.

 

Opening round sees Bailey’s celebrated right hand power finding the Figueroa chin and down goes Figueroa - the port side gamer manages to survive  - then, in stanza two it’s Figueroa back in business with a power left hand and down goes Bailey, and all is square after two rounds.

 

The more seasoned veteran Bailey, in his 45th kept appointment edges Figueroa in candle three, to go one up, before aborting an interesting affair at the 1:46 mark of round four.

 

The sudden finis, courtesy of a Bailey straight right hand bomb to the chin that quickly deposits his game opponent flat on his back - the combination of the perfectly targeted right, plus the Figueroa head banging heavily on the canvas resulted in knockout.

 

House medicine man worked on Figueroa for several minutes before the transplanted Bronxite via Puerto Rico would regain consciousness.

 

Post Scripts:

• Randall Bailey (39-6, 35KO s) ~ age 34 - young of heart with good body - walked into a power left hand from the port side in stanza two but was of the flash variety. Showed enough to qualify for the Urango challenge. Still, the 140 gang is loaded.
• Francisco Figueroa (20-3, 13 KOs) ~ age 30 - in style, awkward southpaw with clout in the left hand. Gives up too much in experience department and height at 5’ 6". Can fill seats with bombs away approach. But more of exciting club fighter than a serious major league title threat.
• Referee: Bill Clancy another obnoxious one that knows when he’s “on” - must be the agua in Memphis, the land of yesterday jazz and Elvis.

 

Commentators:

• Teddy Atlas has worn out the “Amateur Pedigree” advantage - long overdue for trip to the recycle bin - a contagious exaggeration at best. Still, to his credit, is on target with his reminders that the amateur stars turned pro need not be fed on pugilistic pabulum, to create impressive resumé.
• Guest studio B. J. Flores #9 Cruiserweight earned passing grades working with “No Clue” Kenney.
• Joe Tessitore: not in usual excitable mode; “mo” - mellow Joe easier on the listener.

 

GEL