Juan Urango Stops Randall Bailey
Colombian Retains IBF Light Welterweight Crown
This fight was always going to be explosive as both men can notoriously bang. Juan Urango showed his heart by getting off the canvas to stop the big punching Randall Bailey.
Juan Urango vs. Randall Bailey - The Fight
Randall Bailey won the first round easily. Juan Urango was plowing forward putting pressure on, but he wasn't throwing enough punches and Bailey was potshotting him at will.
In the second round, Urango was getting busier, but for the most part Bailey was still dancing round him. It seemed that Urango just couldn't get his punches off, and this was playing into the hands of Bailey perfectly.
Urango probably took round three though. Bailey was too preoccupied looking to wind up one massive right hand to end the fight, and Urango capitalised on the hesitancy of Bailey by working well on the inside.
In the fourth, Urango managed to get through with some body shots and Bailey all of a sudden wasn't looking at all fleet footed. The body shots of Urango were working a treat, and they were beginning to take their toll.
Bailey was given room to work in round five though, and he made Urango pay for his. The Colombian wasn't cutting off the ring effectively, and Bailey was picking his shots well.
Urango found out why Bailey is nicknamed the 'Knockout King' in round six, when he was put down by a stinging right which also opened up a cut underneath the right eye. It took the champion until 9 to get up, but once up, the cobwebs seemed to have cleared.
He carried on plowing forward and he managed to hit Bailey with a good overhand right which forced the American's glove to touch the canvas. However, the referee didn't see this, so this wouldn't have influenced the scorecards anyway.
Urango did excellent work in the seventh and eighth rounds and had recovered well after the knockdown. He had a renewed sense of urgency, and was working the body well.
All of this paid off in the ninth, in which Bailey hit the canvas twice. Both knockdowns were as a result of left hooks to the head, and Bailey in all fairness did very well just to make it through the round. Urango looked like a man on a mission.
In round ten, Bailey also hit the deck, this time just seeking a breather. Urango was relentlessly coming forward, not giving Bailey the room he is accustomed to.
Come round eleven, it was obvious that Bailey wasn't going to win. His corner pulled him out in the middle of the round as it was evident he was just trying to survive, and consequently, Juan Urango retained his IBF Light Welterweight belt.
Where Now For Urango And Bailey?
After this win, Urango may get a fight against a big name. Devon Alexander is coming off a win over Junior Witter, and a step up in class like this would be perfect for the American. That would be a great fight.
As for Bailey, it is hard to see where he will go from here. He had to work very hard to reach this level once again, and whether at the age of 34 he is willing to do that all over again is questionable. Despite never winning a world title, Bailey is a good fighter and has nothing to be ashamed of.
However, this was Juan Urango's night, and after a performance in which he showed good heart and an excellent workrate, he should be a very happy man.
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