Bailey: When I just touch Alexander, he's going to know he is in big trouble

International Boxing Federation (IBF) Welterweight Champion Randall "KO King" Bailey (43-7, 37 KOs) has fully recovered from a back injury that postponed his original September 8th title defense date againstDevon Alexander "The Great" (23-1, 13 KOs). Three-time world champion Bailey plans to live-up to his "KO King" nickname against former two-time world lightweight titlist Alexander on October 20, featured on Showtime Championship Boxing, live from the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

"Training has been great, everything has gone very well," Bailey said from his Florida training camp. "All I'm focused on is my October 20th fight in New York City. I could have cared less where it was, as long as it wasn't St. Louis (Alexander's hometown)."

The assertion by Alexander's manager/trainer, Kevin Cunningham, that Bailey withdrew from that fight date because he wasn't ready to fight Alexander, questioning the validity of Bailey's back injury, has fueled Bailey's fire.

"Kevin Cunningham is crazy," Bailey claimed. "He's not going to get hit and that's why he's been talking so much 'smack.' Ron Jackson (Mike Jones' head trainer) did the same thing and he got fired after I knocked out Jones. (Bailey captured the IBF crown on June 9 by way of a devastating 'Knockout of the Year' candidate right uppercut in the 11th round.) I understand why he's so upset, though. Now, he has to wait a little longer to get his two checks for this fight as manager and trainer. I'm glad Cunningham has pumped me up because, when I hit this kid, just touch him, he's going to know he's in big trouble. All of his talking is going to end up in an ass whooping for his boy. Once the bell rings, it's just me and him, and I know what to do. He's been hurt by smaller guys than me. He's smaller than Jones and everybody saw what I did to him."

"I'm not playing any games. Nobody has ever given me anything. I've earned everything I've done. I wanted this fight to happen as soon as possible; I don't have another five years left in my career. I'm the one who said to make this fight in the first place. Cunningham's way out of line; I guess they wanted me to fight a guy with a cane, wearing a neck brace. There was never a question that this fight would not take place."

Bailey's longtime manager Si Stern, who worked with Bailey's promoter Lou DiBellato reschedule the fight, added, "Cunningham has no basis for anything he's said about Randall. He's been shooting his mouth off a lot. Who is he to question Randall's trainer, two-time world champion John David Jackson, about what sparring partners he's brought in? Who has Cunningham ever trained other than Alexander andCory Spinks? John David has trained great fighters like Bernard Hopkins andShane Mosley. Injuries are just an unfortunate part of boxing. Randall has 14 more knockouts than Alexander has had pro fights, so why would he be afraid to fight him like Cunningham has been saying? I've never seen Randall more determined to knock out an opponent than Alexander because of all of Cunningham's trash talk. He will shut Cunningham's mouth on October 20!"

Bailey, arguably the premier one-punch knockout artist in the world, could very well steal the spotlight from all of the other world-class fighters in action Oct. 20 if he lands his vaunted right on Alexander's chin.

The Tragedy of Billy Collins Jr.

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Collins after the fight Williams Ray Collins Jr. or Billy Collins Jr. as he became known, was born to a boxing father in Antioch, Tennessee in 1961. His father William Sr, once fought Welterweight Champion Curtis Cokes and wanted his boy to follow in his footsteps, so decided to train Billy himself. Collins Jr. turned pro in 1981, a welterweight, just like his father before him and impressively won his first 14 professional contests, 11 by knockout with eight inside the first three rounds. It was 1983 and Billy was matched up against Puerto Rican journeyman Luis Resto on the undercard of Roberto Duran v Davey Moore at Madison Square Garden in a ten rounder. Resto wasn’t known for his punching power but Billy took a sustained beating for the full ten rounds, his face, badly damaged and his eyes were almost shut. After the fight, which Resto won on decision, Billy’s father shook Resto’s hand and noticed there wasn’t much padding in his gl...

Rico Ramos captures world super- bantamweight title with KO

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor ‘Suavecito’ scores 20th straight win over Shimoda Undefeated Californian Rico Ramos produced a world-class left hand in the seventh round of his WBA title challenge against Japan’s Akifumi Shimoda to rip the belt away from the older southpaw in his first defence. The 24 year-old looked far from a world champion in the first five rounds, only gaining a foothold in the fight in round six, but ultimately produced the equalizer in the seventh to take the crown. Shimoda, 26, will be furious with himself as he bossed the majority of the fight and was up five rounds to one on my card going into the seventh round. One lapse in concentration with only thirty seconds left in round seven and Shimoda hit the canvas. The champion tried to get up at the count of nine, but stumbled over and the referee counted him out. The now former champion stayed down for a full minute before being helped to his feet and realising he no longer held the WBA belt. Also on the card i...

Tyson Fury responds to James Toney: Let’s get it on!

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Former world champion could get his wish Unbeaten heavyweight Tyson Fury has reacted receptively to American James Toney’s recent advances for a clash in England this year and the fight may now be a realistic option for the former Irish champion. 43 year-old Toney, who has won multiple world titles at different weights, called out Fury in a recent interview where he also slated the US Olympic team and has never been one to hold his tongue when speaking out future opponents. 'Lights Out' seemed surprisingly respectful when speaking of Fury though and hopes to bring the lowly-regarded IBU heavyweight belt he won against former bare-knuckle champion Bobby Gunn for his first visit to the UK. Fury, 24, told WBN that he is willing to make the fading champion his 20th professional opponent, although the WBC’s number six ranked contender does admit that the Grand Rapids-born boxer has seen better days in his career. “James Toney was a ver...

World Boxing News 2010-2013

Search This Blog