The HBO Saturday (June 24) After Dark offering had it scripted with can‘t miss young welterweight "prospect" Joel Julio (27-0, 24 KO) readying to take another scalp in Puerto Rico’s Carlos Quintana - and then a leak in the prematurely inflated ego.

They never learn, these media  hypsters with its pugilistic house property - and they bombard the viewer with previewed clips of kid protégé standing and past chosen targets snoozing - and the corner cheerleaders shout how the kid needs no tutoring he’s so naturally gifted.

Enter Carlos Quintana - age 29 and unbeaten in 22 kept appointments with 18 via the KO route - and then the opening bell and sure enough the touted one scores with a quick straight right hand to the sweet spot and down goes Quintana - clean knockdown albeit of the flash variety with no damage inflicted.

The opening stanza highlight would be the only bright moment over 12 rounds of Quintana razzle-dazzle tutoring while working from the port side - and trust me when I report Julio is in serious need of boxing basics.

Not a single jab from the Colombian bomber as he followed Quintana to no avail round after round - the southpaw drilled the kid with ongoing rat-tat-tats from both sides as he went body to head - and the few Julio power punches finding a target had zero affect on the mystery man from Moca, Puerto Rico.

The judges scoring was unanimous Quintana 118-110, 117-111, 115-112 - and this unofficial saw it all Quintana 116-111 in points and a walk in the park 9-3 under the round by round method.

Closing Comments: Carlos Quintana (23-0, 18) ~ the best the networks could do  is label him as toughest opponent for its budding super star Julio - then, after the early opening candle fumble, it becomes more total embarrassment for all clinging to the Julio bandwagon - and to Joel prospect himself.
                                  Joel Julio (27-1, 24) ~ The kid is young enough at 21 to right the futility he brought to this dance - doesn’t help when a highly respected trainer and past champion such as Buddy McGirt commits to a media quote that the kid is so talented there’s no need for changes. Ok, Buddy - maybe a whisper in the ear that a stinger jab as range finder could help to better focus on the target for the heavy duty batteries. Back to the drawing board.
                                  Referee Robert Byrd ~ more subtle than most the other clowns working the Vegas scene - still qualifies more as stand up comic than ring official.
                                  Fran, Lennox, Maxie Boy ~ less said the better. Wot next, Moe, Larry, Curly, Chico, Harpo, Groucho?

GEL -

6-25-2006

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