The early ESPN2 WNF kiddie season was out
of the proverbial gate like a thoroughbred competing with
three busted legs - and until this upcoming April 30 offering
has delivered little of interest.
Or maybe, it was my semi-conscious battered
mind, fighting off sleep after most promised 2100 hours
starting times had been preempted by team sports running
overtime - but this month ending Junior middleweight encounter
with Joel Julio and Ishe Smith could well soothe a few wounded
egos.
Julio enters at a sparkling 32-1, 30
stoppages - and did I leave out a young age 23? The “other”
guy more known to the uninitiated by the Contenders TV sitcom
image, Ishe Smith, not exactly chopped liver at a still prime
age 29, and respectable rap sheet of 19-2, 9 by knockout.
Julio will arrive on a four bout winning
streak - scalps taken in alphabetical order go Cornelius
Bundrage (TKO8); Francisco Campos (KO3); Thomas Davis (KO7);
Mauro Lucero (KO1). True, not exactly Canastota company, but
the kid is still a baby - and the single loss by decision back
on June 2006, courtesy of WBO welter champion Carlos
Quintana.
Smith brings along a second stanza TKO win
to the dance - household name only to closest family members
that arrived cloaked in 10-10-1 infamy. Prior to that quickie,
the Ishe win came after decision loss to Sechew “Iron Horse”
Powell, and sitcom 5-rounder split decision loss to Sergio
Mora.
What I see up for grabs in this one, if
Julio scores impressively, and he does have the bigger guns,
it could earn him IBF eliminator with Sechew Powell for a
Verno Phillips title fight.
Smith needs the “W“ in hopes it could
result in finding his name in lights under one of the four
sanctioned top ten listings.
In closing, what we have is proven puncher
in Julio, that will carry early rounds knockout power, facing
sly veteran in Smith who could make this one a bumpy ride for
the younger gun slinger.
Like I said at the top - this ESPN show is
worth the peek.
