"JULIO GARCIA'S REIGN OF TERROR HAS BEEN HALTED" By Elisa Harrison

In a frustrating and terribly one-sided bout, Colombian Juan Carlos Candelo stole a page from Panamanian Tito Mendoza, (who at 6'3" is the only other fighter who has beaten Julio), and took it to the next level. While "El Misil" Mendoza scored a unanimous decision, Candelo now has bragging rights to an 8th round TKO against "The Cuban Lover."

The height difference, which had to be at least 5 inches, and who knows how many inches in reach, did the damage. However, the most remarkable thing about the match was that while in his recent fights Julio has had the edge in heart and determination, a factor which in this writer's humble opinion has always earned him the W, in Candelo he met an opponent who came to the table with as much heart, just as hungry and determined. Last night's IBF eliminator has to be considered Candelo's career defining fight, and frankly, had he shown the same fluidity, focus and aggressiveness against Ronald "Winky" Wright, we wouldn't be having this "conversation."

To his credit, "The Cuban Lover" did everything he could to be competitive against his lanky opponent. Garcia threw vicious leather to the body each and every time he caught Candelo against the ropes. He applied pressure throughout, and also showed that he has a very decent chin. There were some mean right hooks to Candelo's head as well, they seemed to be the most damaging of all the blows. Don't let it be said that Julio Garcia didn't come to fight.

The bottom line is this... how was Garcia supposed to escape the seemingly endless Candelo jab? What was plan B? I don't think there was a plan B, and flashbacks of Trinidad vs Hopkins came to mind, painfully so, I may add. Once Candelo tasted Garcia's power and assessed that he wasn't going to be affected by it, it was on! Very reminiscent of how Hopkins reacted to the best that Tito had to offer, and the ensuing result.

Unlike the classless Hopkins, though, Candelo embraced his foe and simply said: "I don't talk shit, man, I do my talking in the ring, when I fight I don't talk shit!" In the same gracious display that Trinidad exhibited with Hopkins, Julio accepted Candelo's embrace, congratulated him and made no excuses.

Garcia's fans should not give up on him, there is a lot of "Cuban Lover" left. He will be back, and possibly he will be better behind this losing effort. Remember, Garcia is a self-made boxer, who has learned on the job, and frankly it's a credit to his conditioning and mental attitude that he had never been stopped before. As for Candelo, I'd say that consistency will be the determining factor in his pugilistic future.