Randall Bailey knocks out Mike Jones to grab the vacant IBF welterweight title – Boxing News
Randall Bailey, the former WBC Latino light welterweight champion, collected an impressive 11th round knockout win over fellow countryman Mike Jones, the current NABA and WBO NABO welterweight champion, to grab the vacant IBF welterweight gold in a 12-round
bout held on June 9, 2012.
The duo co-headlined the fight card headlined by the much anticipated and later on highly controversial bout between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley. The event was organised and promoted by Bob Arum of Top Rank and the ring for the event was setup at
MGM Grand Garden Arena situated in , Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.
The clash would have ended in a close decision win in favour of Jones who by capitalising his agility, speed and footwork was able to connect substantial number of jabs but thanks to Bailey’s corner-men who shouted in the nick of time aiding Bailey to rev
up his attack and go for the knockout.
From the very first round, Bailey who had the hefty experience advantage in his corner started things off in a somewhat authoritative way. Mike countered Bailey’s jabs effectively but the one facet that was noticed by almost all the boxing fans was - lack
of energy between the two pugilists.
Both men till the 10th round tried their level best to just inflict minimal damage so as to grab points. It was Randall, also known as ‘The Knock-out King’, who after realising that there is no choice but to move forward and go for the knockout, moved in
and started things anew with energy by attacking Mike with full force and might.
With the start of the 11th round, Randall started pounding Mike with his infamous right hand. Bailey’s right hand jab is considered as one of the best and most lethal hooks in the whole division.
At two minutes and 52 seconds, Randall threw the final combination and connected a huge right hook that flattened Mike on the ring floor. Jones, also known as ‘M. J.’, tried hard to get back up on his feet but his legs were totally worn out and fatigued
as a result the bout-referee announced Randall as the winner and the new owner of the IBF welterweight gold.
After the bout Bailey stated, “I proved I could hurt him before the knockout. I knew if I hit him flush, it would be over. We knew we were behind. Mike helped us out by getting brave in there, so by getting brave he set himself up for the big punches. I
got him real good. I could feel that [uppercut] in my arm.”
The young Jones admitted that he was unable to see the jabs, “I never saw either shot. They were big punches. I couldn't handle it.” With this win Randall has collected his 37th knockout and 43rd career win whereas Mike has received
his first ever career loss.
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