Boxing News Boxing News
Last night at Pepsi Pavilion in Memphis, TN, ex-WBO Light Welter Champion Randall Bailey, 39-6 (35), won an IBF 140 lb title eliminator in emphatic fashion by knocking out Frankie Figueroa, 20-3 (13), in the fourth round.
34 year old Bailey won the WBO crown in 1999 and made two defenses before losing it on a split decision to Ener Julio a year later.
Bailey bounced back to win the Interim WBA crown in 2002 but was KO’d in seven by Diobelys Hurtado for the full WBA title one bout later. In 2003, Bailey had a shot at his old WBO strap but was outboxed by DeMarcus Corley over twelve.
Another WBO title shot came in 2004 but Bailey was stopped on cuts in six rounds by Miguel Cotto. The Miami resident nearly made it back to the big time in 2007 but lost an IBF eliminator to Herman Ngoudjo via split decision.
At Miccosukee Resort and Gaming in Miami, FL, the previously mentioned former WBA Light Welter Champ Diosbelys Hurtado returned from a one year absence from the ring to win the vacant WBO Latino Welter title.
The 36 year old former Cuban amateur star, 41-3-1 (25), didn’t have it easy however, as he was pushed to the wall by Mexico’s two-time world light welter title challenger, Arturo Morua, 35-12-1 (14), but managed to pull out a 114-113, 114-113 and 113-114 split decision victory.
Hurtado has only lost to Pernell Whittaker, Kostya Tszyu and Vivian Harris in world title fights during a fifteen year pro career.
