Randall Bailey ready to take on Mike Jones for the vacant IBF welterweight title – Boxing news
Randall Bailey, the former WBO light welterweight champion, will take on fellow undefeated countryman Mike Jones, the current NABA and WBO NABO welterweight champion, in a 12-round bout with vacant IBF welterweight title up for grabs on Saturday June 9,
2012.
The duo will co-headline the much anticipated pay-per-view which is being organised and promoted by Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions. The showdown will be headlined by the epic WBO welterweight title bout between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley.
The ring for the event will be set up at the renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena situated in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States and the show will be televised live on HBO. Randall and Mike recently met at a pre-bout press conference and verbally bashed each other.
Bailey, 37, a veteran who has been in a total 50 bouts, boasts 42 wins with a huge 36 coming via knockout. The former world champion got irked during the press conference by Mike’s continuous jabbering and commented that it is he who will get a knockout
punch.
Randall stated, “That’s what you’re going to get. We’ve seen Mike Jones and we’re ready for the task at hand. Come Saturday, it’s going to be a war. All that talk about this and that, it’s a done deal. When the bell rings, ding, it’s on.”
At the same time, the undefeated Pennsylvania proud Mike explained as to why he has chosen to wear an eight-ounce glove. Jones, 29, has been in a total 26 bouts and boasts an undefeated streak with 19 wins coming via knockout.
Also known as ‘M. J.’, Mike caught media’s attention in his last six or seven bouts, brawls in which he has collected and defended titles successfully. While explaining the reasoning behind the gloves controversy, Mike stated, “The reason why I chose eight
ounce gloves is because I want the best Randall Bailey. You say you can hit and knock somebody out, but you’ve gotta catch him and hit him. It takes more than a knockout punch to be a great fighter.”
No matter what both men say in front of the media the true potential and resilience can only be judged and understood when a pugilist enters the ring. Mike has a streak to defend whereas Randall is in search of grabbing the apex title to make a comeback
at the top divisional position.
Bailey has his experience to aid him whereas Jones will have his speed and agility. If Randall is able to cater and halt Jones movements and footwork, the task of becoming the IBF welterweight champion will definitely be a knockout punch away for him.
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