ESPN kiddie channel tossed us what they described as a Wednesday night welterweight special - but what they were selling is age 22 hot prospect Joel Julio in with overly seasoned veteran age 34 Cornelius Bundrage - and all went as planned.

It’s Julio the much quicker out of the gate and displaying the much faster hands - Bundrage tried loading up with the big right,  but not successful - and the looser Julio clearly in charge.

Bundrage much too erect, and carries the left hand low while searching for a spot to land the right hand - wasn’t going to work on this night against the energetic Colombian.

Then stanza three and a solid right hand drops Bundrage - the old warrior manages to survive but the writing on the wall hints it won’t go the scheduled ten rounds.

Maybe Bundrage steals number four, but five belongs to Julio, and candle six it’s left hooks and right hands - and come round seven it’s clear a fading Bundrage is a shot entity.

Finally round eight and all Julio, as he drops Bundrage twice before jumping on the wounded prey - referee Jack Reiss calls it no mas at 1:08 mark.

Post Scripts: Joel Julio ( 32-1, 30KO) ~ age 22 - tall and growing at a now 150 pounds - had built a glittering resumé over first 27 pro fights with only one going the distance -  then a year ago on June of 2006 he fails his first test - a one-sided unanimous decision loss to solid southpaw Carlos Quintana. The kid has since regrouped over the bodies of warmed cadavers - jury still out. Need fine tuning in skills department to go with the punching power.
                        Cornelius Bundrage ( 26-3, 15KO) ~ age 34 - at 5-6 and junior middleweight is too erect in stance, and while he gives it his all, the future is bleak.
                       And this: Joe Tessie the tout should get a grip on what he continues to sell - passing off Julio as serious threat  instead of prospect among the 155 pound clientele, is a stretch of major proportions. Kid needs time to grow physically, and improve in technique before being rushed in over his head. The suggested Andre Berto fight makes zero sense - Andre only a kid himself at 23 but far more advanced in skills and much bigger puncher.   

GEL   -   

7-12-07