Randall Bailey notches 44th career winWorking way back into welterweight mix

MIAMI (November 26, 2013) - Three-time, two-division world champion Randall "KO King" Bailey (44-8, 37 KOs) returned to the ring last Saturday night in Tampa for his first fight in 13 months, defeating Ecuador welterweight Humberto "Bam Bam" Toledo (41-11-2, 25 KOs) by way of an eighth-round disqualification for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International belt. Bailey battered Toledo from the opening bell right up to the bizarre ending, in which Toledo suddenly and surprisingly took a knee in the middle of the ring, only to get back up and get disqualified for pushing referee Frank Santore, Jr. into the ropes. "I wasn't really surprised because I saw the way he was responding in the first couple of rounds," Bailey explained.  "I was hitting him hard and often and he was looking to the referee to find a way out of the fight.  The ref wasn't cooperating with him, so in the eighth round, he took a knee, jumped up and pushed the ref." Bailey's veteran manager, Si Stern, couldn't believe what he was watching.  "Randall looked very strong," Stern said.  "I hadn't seen him move so well in years.  Toledo started hitting Randall behind the head a bunch of times and below the belt.  In the eighth round, he went down to one knee in the middle of the ring, got up, grabbed the ref and pushed him into the ropes. "Randall proved he can still fight.  He may be 39 but he has the body of somebody in their mid-twenties.  He was never in wars and his body hasn't taken too much punishment over the years.  Randall will be rated in the WBC's top 10 because he's the new WBC International champion.  Next, I'd like to get him into a tougher fight and then a title eliminator.  If everything goes according to plans, I think Randall will be fighting for another world title this summer." Now a promotional free agent, Bailey had Chico Rivas as his chief second for the first time.  "It was no difference this fight (with Rivas as head trainer)," Bailey noted.  "He's been with me forever (as his assistant trainer).  Everything was smooth.  This is my last run and I feel good. "After the fight, I felt pretty good other than needing to get my hands use to hitting somebody so hard with small gloves (unlike larger gloves used for sparring).  I hurt both of my hands in the second or third round.  No damage but they swelled up.  It had been a whole year since I punched that hard wearing small gloves." Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is the WBC welterweight champion, as well as the WBC and World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Welterweight title holder.  If Mayweather gives up the WBC 147-pound belt, Bailey could be right in the mix of contenders.  If he had a choice, though, Bailey would rather take on World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Timothy Bradley. "I'd want Bradley if I could pick," Bailey concluded.  "He's avoided me his whole career." In any case, though, one of boxing's most lethal pound-for-pound punchers is back, Randall Bailey.

Three-Time World Champion Randall Bailey Plans to live-up to 'KO King' nickname vs. Alexander

MIAMI (October 9, 2012) - 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 against Devon 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 DiBella to 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 and Cory Spinks? John David has trained great fighters like Bernard Hopkins and Shane 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.

'Randall Bailey Day' in Key West A tribute to 3-Time World Champion

(L-R) Randall Bailey's manager Si Stern, his grand-daughter Brittany, son Gary Stern, Sherman "Tank" Williams, grand-daughter Paris, and Randall "The Knockout King" Bailey   KEY WEST, Fla. (August 14, 2012) - The "Conch" population increased last month when the City of Key West declared July 28, 2012, as "Randall Bailey Day," honoring local favorite Randall "The Knockout King" Bailey, the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) Welterweight World Champion. Bailey (43-7, 37 KOs), a three-time, two division world champion, was coming off of a "Knockout of the Year" performance on June 9 over previously unbeaten Mike Jones (26-1, 19 KOs) for the vacant IBF title. "It was a great, fun day," Bailey said. "It was quite an honor from the people of Key West. They acknowledged me as their champion. They've been behind me since I first fought there. It was a great feeling." "Randall Bailey Day" celebrated the history of boxing in Key West, in general, as well as another pair of popular fighters in Key West, retired world champion Glenn "The Road Warrior" Johnson (unable to attend due to a prior commitment) andSherman "Tank" Williams, the new World Boxing Organization (WBO) China & Asia Pacific heavyweight champion who is rated No. 12 by the WBO. Bailey, Johnson and Williams are role models in Key West, where they always attend boxing shows and work with youth at the local Police Athletic League (PAL) facility, in addition to being an invaluable part of the community at large encouraging youngsters to gain respect for discipline and hard work. Also honored were Bailey's manager, Si Stern, and his partner, Dave Johnson, who are largely responsible for bringing international boxing recognition to Key West. Stern and Johnson have made financial contributions to provide guests with hot dogs and hamburgers, and Coca-Cola and Budweiser donated beverages. "Randall Bailey Day" festivities included a motorcade escort by two Key West police cars, two motorcycles and two mounted units. A Key West Fire Department pumper truck, 60-passenger Conch Train (donated by Historical Tours of America) for PAL participants and their families, plus additional vehicles for the honorees, were part of the escort. The Key West Rotary Club was a sponsor of this event and the convertible cars used in the motorcade were donated by Niles Automobile.    Local boxers such as Jimmy Bowman, Eddie Agin, Danny Van Staaden and others were also on hand for the celebration. The festivities culminated at Truman Waterfront, where the honorees were presented with prestigious Honorary Conch status (as citizens of the Florida Keys), as well as an official proclamation that declared Saturday, July 28, 2012, as "Randall Bailey Day."

Heavyweight road warrior Sherman "Tank" Williams Challenging Chauncy Welliver on June 28 in Macau

Sherman "Tank" Williams   VERO BEACH, FL (May 24, 2012) -- Heavyweight road warrior Sherman "Tank" Williams, a Bahamian sports legend, will travel halfway around the world to challenge WBO Asia Pacific and WBC Asian Boxing Council Champion Chauncy "Hillyard Hammer" Welliver on June 28 in Macau, China. Williams (34-11-2, 19 KOs) hasn't fought in 1 ½ years, since he was involved in a highly-controversial "no contest" with Evander Holyfield for the World Boxing Federation title, at The Greenbrier in White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia. "I'm looking for a break," Williams said about his fight with Welliver (53-5-5, 20 KOs). "I'm not discouraged. I'll be coming to fight like I always do. I've been sitting on the bench, training in the gym, and I couldn't wait to fight. This is an important fight for me. I don't know too much about Welliver other than he's had a lot of fights. The only two guys he's fought I'm familiar with are David Bostice and Bert Cooper in his last fight. He has a lot of experience and I'm sure he coming in top shape to fight. I have a lot of experience, against better opponents, and I'm sure that he's never fought anybody like Sherman 'Tank' Williams.   A lot of his fights have gone the distance, so he better put on his track shoes. I should be able to go over there and take him into the ocean. It's going to be a helluva fight. "Everybody knows I was robbed against Holyfield. I studied his fights tricks and tactics and noticed that he didn't like to be roughed up or hit to the body. He was open for overhand rights and left hooks. I followed the game plan and was on the verge of upsetting Holyfield and shocking the world. The referee was in over his head and never should have been working a big fight like that. Holyfield was cut over the eye in the second round but the referee didn't say anything about a head-butt - the rules state that he had to after the second round - until after the fight was over. He was confused and negotiated with Holyfield's corner. He ruled it a no contest draw, but there's no such thing as a no contest draw. I was robbed, shattered and hurt." Holyfield said in a post fight interview on the pay-per-view broadcast that he would give Williams a rematch in the Bahamas but it never happened. "We negotiated between March and September but no numbers we discussed were suitable for Holyfield," Williams explained. "Hey, I'm Bahamian and Caribbean people are tough skinned. I refuse to lose or let anybody take me down. The Holyfield fight really hurt my career. I had been on a pretty good roll, winning my last 10 of 11, but I had been out of action 16 months from a car accident in 2009. Holyfield's team picked me as an opponent because I'd been inactive for so long. He would have been knocked out if he came out for another round and that's why he wouldn't fight me again. That unfortunate injustice really hurt me and my family." "Sherman is a strong guy who has been avoided by top heavyweights," Williams' manager Si Stern commented. "They've come up with every reason not to fight him. Sherman has a good record and he's a super nice guy, too. We're hoping that this fight is the start of something good for him." The Holyfield win he should have had in West Virginia most likely would have gotten "Tank" a world rating or close to it.   Without that victory or an opportunity for a rematch, Williams was unable to secure a significant fight, and he went back to serving as a sparring partner for the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, and others. Williams continues to chase his dream to fight for a world championship. He can position himself closer to his goal by impressively defeating Welliver, who is ranked No. 6 by the WBC and No. 8 by the WBO. "I'd like a shot at the Klitschkos or Povetkin," Williams concluded. "I tried to fight the British heavyweights - Haye, Chisora or Fury - but those guys just like to talk about how good they are. They aren't interested in fighting a tough guy like me. I wish heavyweights today were like Ali and Foreman, who fought everybody, including the absolute best of their era. My opportunities have been too few and far between. I haven't been out the past 1 ½ years by design. Over the years, I've been a true road warrior, fighting who and where I had to, suffering some losses because of that. I'm going to Macau and I plan to take Welliver's belts back to the Bahamas and United States."

Years of frustration for Randall Bailey coming to head June 9 vs. Mike Jones

Randall "The Knock-Out King" Randall (Photo by Sumio Yamada)   MIAMI, FL (May 2, 2012) - Two-time world champion Randall "The Knock-out King" Bailey, arguably the biggest pound-for-pound single puncher in boxing, finally gets an opportunity to exorcise years of demon-like frustrations on June 9, when he takes on unbeaten Mike Jones for the vacant International Boxing Federation ("IBF") Welterweight Championship, in the 12-round co-feature on the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley pay-per-view card, live from MGM Grand in Las Vegas. For years, Bailey (42-7, 36 KOs) has been considered too much of a risk for some of today's brightest stars.  Awesome, one-punch knockout ability will do just that to a fighter's reputation like Bailey's.  Ask Jackson Isei Bonsu and Frankie Figueroa, two of Bailey's 36 knockout victims, who were literally out cold before they hit the mat, after getting chin-checked by a powerful Randall right. "Randall Bailey has been frustrated most of his career," his longtime manager Si Stern said.  "He is unquestionably the strongest puncher in the world today and, I know this may sound crazy to some, maybe in boxing history.  Just look at his knockout record.  He's been shunned by a lot of top fighters out there today.  Why? They know Randall can take them out with one punch. History tells us that dangerous punchers like Randall have always been avoided.  "Jones (IBF #1) didn't want to fight Randall (IBF #2), either.  The IBF pushed the issue and said that Jones had to fight Randall or he'd lose his world title shot.  Once he wins the world title again - he was too young when he was world champion - he knows the money will follow and that's what has kept Randall going.  He has no fear of Mayweather, Pacquiao or any of the other top welterweights.  Randall knows that he can knock out any of them because of his power.  Mayweather doesn't want to fight Randall, who loves stand-up fighters like Pacquiao.  His past problems have been against opponents who hit and run.  Guys who stand and fight have never been a problem for Randall."  The 37-year-old Bailey, now promoted by DiBella Entertainment, made his pro debut in 1996, when Jones was sweet sixteen.  Randall won his first 21 pro fights, all by knockouts, including his World Boxing Organization ("WBO") light welterweight title-winning performance against Carlos Gonzalez in 1999, followed by two successful title defenses against Hector Lopez and Rocky Martinez. In 2002, Bailey stopped Demetrio Ceballos in the third round to become the Interim World Boxing Association ("WBA") Light Welterweight Champion. After losing his IBF 140-pound title shot in 2009 to Juan Urango, Bailey moved up in weight to welterweight, and he is unbeaten in four fights in that division with three victories, including the Bonsu knockout in their IBF title eliminator, and a no decision. "I pleaded with him to get out of the 140-pound division," Stern note.  "He walks around at 154 pounds, so making weight is no longer a struggle for him at welterweight.  I bet he's within a few pounds of making weight for the Jones fight right now, working out in Florida with his trainer, John David Jackson.  Jones has never fought anybody like Randall Bailey; he will knock out Jones." Five of Bailey's seven career losses have been to world champions:  Urango, Miguel Cotto, Ener Julio, and Diosbelys Hurtado. Randall has defeated three world champions: Gonzalez, Corley, and Juan Polo Perez. Like fine wine, Randall Bailey keeps getting better with age, something Stern believes Jones will discover June 9, probably at the end of single, concussive punch.