Juan Urango vs Randall Bailey Preview

Lee Payton breaks down tonights FNF junior-welterweight match-up between Juan Urango and Randall Bailey.

On tonight's edition of Friday Night Fights, 140 lb brute, Juan Urango defends his title belt against KO artist, Randall Bailey in what should be a hard-hitting affair. This is a must win fight for both men. As silly as the sanctioning organizations are these days, this fight is an example of their rare usefulness. You have two hungry veterans swapping heavy leather for a title that actually means something. Even if it's not for the real title, that strap is the world to these guys right now. I think they'll fight like never before.

Urango is solid. Solid in build, chin and punch. It's been enough to get him love from those who hand out these belts, but he has not get it done in the big show. Andre Berto and Ricky Hatton did enough to keep him out of the fight for the majority of 12 rounds, but it says something about the man's quality as a fighter that those are the only two losses in 24 fights.

At his best, the Colombian rolls forward like a tank. Steadily coming behind thick armor with blasts to the opponents heart, lungs and liver. No one has managed to tear through his own defenses so far, he has basically just run out of time. Does Bailey have enough ammunition left to shock Urango?

Well, he did score a devastating knockout over another left hander in his last fight. In fact, this will be his third consecutive contest against a southpaw, so his hands and feet should be ready for the looks coming his way. He knows what he has to do in there. Can he do it for 36 minutes at 34 years old, against a guy who doesn't take backwards steps? He may have to.

Many would argue that Bailey has improved in the last few years and I think there is something to that. The loss he suffered to Ngoudjo last year could have gone either way in the eyes of many fans, and he showed that he could operate some by using his legs to stay on the outside.

I think this one has the potential to be a lot of fun. The two fighters aren't exactly there to protect their hands...

In trying to pin down a winner, I recalled Diosbelys Hurtado chopping Bailey down with nasty body shots. Urango has big time power downstairs. I'll take those loud whacks to the ribs to decide this one.

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