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Juan Urango defends International Boxing Federation title

Juan Urango defends International Boxing Federation title

By Sharon Robb

SunSentinel.com

August 29, 2009

HOLLYWOOD

Juan Urango of Cooper City retained his International Boxing Federation light welterweight title early Saturday morning at the Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena.

The Colombian came back after being knocked flat on his back in the sixth round, with an impressive 11th round TKO over former two-time world champion Randall Bailey of Fort Lauderdale Contenders.

It was Urango's first successful title defense fight.

"It was important for me to defend my title," said Urango, who suffered a deep gash under his right eye. "I just fought back with all my heart."

Urango dropped Bailey four times in the ninth, tenth and eleventh rounds before his corner stopped the fight. In those three rounds, Urango outpunched a fatigued Bailey 68-10.

In the first title fight, with the crowd chanting, "USA, USA," undefeated Tavoris Cloud won the vacant International Boxing Federation light heavyweight title.

Cloud (20-0, 18 KOs) of Tallahassee, scored a brutal 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Clinton Woods (42-5-1, 24 KOs) of Sheffield, England. All three judges had it 116-112.

With relentless straight rights to the head and combination punches to the body, the 27-year-old Cloud was dominating from the opening round connecting on 371 of 1,113 punches thrown.

Cloud, who has never had to go past five rounds, had the 37-year-old Woods against the ropes in the eighth round with a flurry of punches and had his left eye swollen.

In an undercard fight, Rances Barthelemy got more than 13 seconds of work in his second pro fight.

The former Cuban junior national champion from Miami scored a first round TKO over Vinsash Rungea of Fort Lauderdale to remain undefeated (2-0, 2 KOs).

Barthelemy, the brother of 2004 Olympic gold medalist and pro prospect Yan Barthelemy, outclassed Rungea (2-14-3) with his quick hands and feet and dropped him with a quick left in the corner at 2:40.

"I feel more comfortable the more I am in the ring," Barthelemy said. "I would like to fight every month to get work in. My corner kept telling me to be patient."

After defecting in 2008, Barthelemy made his debut Aug. 8 with a 13-second knockout of Jamal Clay in Columbia, S.C. Barthelemy showed why he is part of the Cuban Connection that is helping breathe new life into the South Florida boxing scene.

"Rances has a great style for the pros, and having been in the state for 15 months already he is better acclimated to life here than some of his former teammates," said Seminole Warriors Boxing executive director Leon Margules.

Luis Franco, a 2004 Olympian, and Barthelemy are regarded as two of the best prospects to come out of Cuba. Franco also won his undercard bout.

By Simon on Aug 29, 2009, 12:40 in Friendly Talkzone.

Simon says on Aug 29, 2009, 12:41:

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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