Randall “The Knock Out King” Bailey Goes 15 Rounds with Ringside Report

Exclusive Interview by Dave “Mythical” Siderski

“I’d like my fans to know how much I appreciate their support. Thank you from the Knockout King!…………..Rest in Peace Si Stern.” – Randall Bailey

Randall Bailey, “The Knockout King”, is one of the most exciting fighters in recent boxing history. He is a man blessed with the rare ability to change the tenor of any fight with his crushing punching power. “The Knockout King” is a two-time World Champion, capturing titles in both the Super Lightweight and Welterweight divisions.

Today, as Randall approaches his 41st birthday, he is on a quest to capture his third world title and achieve his stated goal of winning 50 professional fights. In this exclusive interview with RSR, Randall shares his perspectives about career, along with his feelings about the recent passing of his manager, Si Stern.

DS: First, I was sorry to hear of the passing of your manager, Si Stern. Can you tell us what your most prominent memories of your relationship with him are?

My manager Si was a loving and caring guy. He literally would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. I’m really gonna miss him. It still hurts that he’s gone and the loss is still fresh in my head.

DS: I think we can all relate to how difficult it is to lose someone close. To move on to a different subject, how did you first become involved in boxing?

I first got into boxing when I was 14. I was home one day and asked my mom to take me to the local gym in Liberty City Miami. I used to get in a lot of street fights and just got tired of getting in trouble for it. At least when I was boxing in the gym, it didn’t get me in trouble.

DS: You turned professional in April of 1996 and won your first 18 fights, all by stoppage. Was there a signature moment at any point during this time, one where you realized you had the skills and abilities to become a future world champion?

I always believed I could be a champion. I knew how to fight before I ever walked in the gym and always had confidence. I just needed to learn and polish my craft.

DS: You won your first world title in May 1999 with a 1st round knockout victory over WBO Super Lightweight champion Carlos Gonzalez. What are your memories of that fight?

It was total mayhem! The fight was in my hometown of Miami and the place went crazy. My family and neighborhood friends were there, both new ones and old ones I had known for years. It was a spectacular night! I landed a left hook and……..Crack!!!! The champ was down!!!! It was also the first time I ever met Roger Mayweather. He had a fighter on the card that night as well.

DS: In July 2000, you lost the title by a close split decision to Ener Julio. How did you feel about the decision at the time?

It was a close fight but I felt I got slighted in the decision. He knocked me down once but I knocked him down twice. They took a point away from him and yet they still took the belt away from the Champion. I’ve never seen anything like that before.

DS: Over the next decade plus, you faced a literal who’s/who’s of world champions and outstanding contenders at 140 and 147. Of all the men you faced which fighter do you have the most respect for and why?

Miguel Cotto is the fighter I respect the most. At the time, I really felt that if I didn’t find a trainer that would help me reach my true potential I would consider retiring. Then then I met Norman Wilson and he turned everything around for me.

DS: In June 2012, at the age of 37, you scored a come from behind 11th round knockout over undefeated Mike Jones to win the IBF Welterweight title, what are your recollections of that fight?

I knew going in that I had the power to knock him out. I just didn’t know how I was gonna get to him because he was so big. I didn’t feel like my trainer and I were clicking mentally at the time. But Mike Jones slowed down for just long enough for me to land my right hand and down he went! It was just a matter of me catching him with the right punch and it happened. It was a great night after that!

DS: You might be the most dangerous power puncher seen in a boxing ring over the past 20 years. Do you believe that is gift you were you were born with or something you’ve worked at developing during your career? What are the keys to landing a devastating power punch?

Well, I always had power and a good right hand. Tommy Brooks caught me when I was about 17 years old and showed me this little technique of turning my body behind the punch. That increased my power to another level. I would practice that move for at least 3 or 4 rounds before doing anything else until it became automatic.

DS: Of all of your victories, is there any single one that stands out to you as most satisfying and why?

I would say the Mike Jones fight because everybody had counted me out. But God told me before the fight I was gonna win. That’s why I never gave up. He didn’t tell me how I was gonna win just he told me I was gonna be champion. After everybody threw their hands up, out of the blue comes the right hand. Bang!!!

DS: What are your present goals in your boxing career?

My goal is to reach 50 wins before I have 10 losses. I’m already at 8 losses so I’m training hard and staying focused.

DS: Which fighter (or fighters) would you most like to face now?

I really would like to fight Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter, or Errol Spence, JR.

DS: Tell us about your upcoming fight with Shusaku Fujinaka.

Well, I know he’s shorter than me. Other than that, I don’t know much about him. But, once the bell rings, within 30 seconds I’ll know what he wants to do and will go from there.

DS: Now that you are in your early 40’s, have you made any changes to how you prepare for a fight versus your approach when you were younger?

Yes, now that I’m a little older I still feel my power is still there. But, I really just need to watch the times I train. Sometimes I might be ready but my body tells me it needs more rest. So basically that’s the change, making sure that I get the proper rest so when I go to the gym I can give 100%.

DS: How long to do plan to keep fighting and what are your plans after your boxing career is over?

Well my plans are to fight out my contract with my Promoter AK Promotions and try to win myself another World Title. Then I’ll retire.

DS: Is there anything about Randall Bailey that boxing fans and the general public do not know that you would like us to?

I’d like my fans to know how much I appreciate their support. Thank you from the “Knockout King!” Rest in Peace Si Stern.

Thanks to you too Randall! We appreciate your taking the time to share your insights and wish you the best of luck with your life and boxing career. Happy Birthday to you as well!

Randall Bailey
Nickname: “The Knock-Out King”
Division: Welterweight
Professional Record: 45-8, 38 KO’s

Date Opponent W-L-D Location Result

2015-06-20 Gundrick King 18-14-0 Riverdale Center of Arts, Riverdale, Georgia, USA W KO 2

2013-11-23 Humberto Toledo 41-10-2 Tampa, Florida, USA W DQ 8

2012-10-20 Devon Alexander 23-1-0 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA L UD 12
IBF World welterweight title

2012-06-09 Mike Jones 26-0-0 MGM Grand, Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA W KO 11
vacant IBF World welterweight title

2011-09-03 Yoryi Estrella 10-5-2 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, USA W UD 10

2010-12-10 Said Ouali 27-3-0 Lotto Arena, Merksem, Antwerpen, Belgium W ND 2
2010-03-19 Jackson Osei Bonsu 31-3-0 Lotto Arena, Merksem, Antwerpen, Belgium W TKO 1

2009-12-12 Germaine Sanders 27-7-0 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, USA W UD 8
2009-08-28 Juan Urango 21-2-1 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA L TKO 11
IBF World super lightweight title
2009-04-03 Francisco Figueroa 20-2-0 Pepsi Pavilion, Memphis, Tennessee, USA W KO 4

2008-10-22 DeMarcus Corley 31-9-1 BB King Blues Club & Grill, New York, New York, USA W UD 8
2008-08-06 Dairo Esalas 31-13-0 BB King Blues Club & Grill, New York, New York, USA W KO 1
2008-01-18 Anthony Mora 15-1-0 Mallory Square, Key West, Florida, USA W TKO 5
vacant WBC Latino super lightweight title

2007-06-08 Herman Ngoudjo 15-1-0 Uniprix Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada L SD 12
2007-01-19 Harrison Cuello 14-4-2 Mallory Square, Key West, Florida, USA W TKO 2
International Boxing Association Intercontinental super lightweight title

2006-10-13 Shawn Gallegos 16-2-0 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA W TKO 8
vacant International Boxing Association Intercontinental super lightweight title
2006-07-28 Russell Stoner Jones 19-14-0 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA W TKO 4
2006-06-27 Juan Polo Perez 46-42-4 Sheraton Miami Mart Hotel, Miami, Florida, USA W KO 1
2006-05-06 Santos Pakau 27-1-1 Quay Park, Key West, Florida, USA W KO 1
2006-03-24 Lenin Arroyo 14-4-1 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida, USA W UD 8

2005-05-20 Roberto Ortega 18-14-1 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA W UD 10

2004-12-11 Miguel Cotto 21-0-0 Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA L TKO 6
WBO World super lightweight title
2004-03-19 Lester Yarbrough 12-42-1 Majestic Star Casino, Gary, Indiana, USA W KO 5
2004-01-15 Ishe Smith 13-0-0 Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California, USA L UD 12
vacant WBC Continental Americas welterweight title
vacant USBA welterweight title
vacant WBO NABO welterweight title

2003-05-17 Reggie Strickland 61-247-15 Civic Center, Hammond, Indiana, USA W UD 8
2003-01-04 DeMarcus Corley 27-1-1 DC Armory, Washington, District of Columbia, USA L UD 12
WBO World super lightweight title

2002-09-27 Alfonso Fowler 2-5-0 Farm Bureau Building, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA W TKO 1
2002-05-11 Diosbelys Hurtado 34-2-1 Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto Rico L KO 7
vacant WBA World super lightweight title
International Boxing Association super lightweight title
2002-02-02 Demetrio Ceballos 24-3-0 Sovereign Center, Reading, Pennsylvania, USA W KO 3
interim WBA World super lightweight title

2001-06-08 Bobby Elkins 29-11-0 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, USA W TKO 1
2001-01-27 Anthony Cobb 4-21-2 Johanning Civic Center, Kokomo, Indiana, USA W KO 2

2000-11-21 Billy Wooten 6-22-1 Pepsi Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA W TKO 2
2000-07-22 Ener Julio 22-3-0 American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida, USA L SD 12
WBO World super lightweight title
2000-04-08 Rocky Martinez 32-3-1 Palais Omnisports Paris Bercy, Paris XII, Paris, France W TKO 7
WBO World super lightweight title

1999-12-11 Hector Lopez 40-6-1 Grand Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, USA W TKO 9
WBO World super lightweight title
1999-05-15 Carlos Gonzalez 48-3-1 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, USA W KO 1
WBO World super lightweight title
1999-03-06 Rodney Wilson 23-11-2 UM Sports Pavilion, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA W TKO 3

1998-12-18 Manuel De Leon 6-20-0 Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA W TKO 2
1998-07-18 Jerry Strickland 13-110-0 Kokomo, Indiana, USA W TKO 2
1998-04-30 Esteban Flores 8-5-0 The Chili Pepper, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA W TKO 1
1998-02-25 Randy McGee 4-11-0 Columbia Club, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA W KO 1

1997-12-13 Jim Maloney 3-6-2 Amphitheater, Pompano Beach, Florida, USA W TKO 1
1997-09-30 Lavoice Ward Incahoots, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA W TKO 1
1997-08-11 Gerry Dill 0-2-0 Argosy Casino, Kansas City, Missouri, USA W KO 1
1997-04-29 Israel Muhammad 0-4-0 Incahoots, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA W TKO 5
1997-03-04 Bobby Jones 6-27-2 Pepsi Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA W TKO 7
1997-02-19 Samuel Roberts 0-1-0 Columbia Club, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA W TKO 1

1996-11-30 Jeff Elrod 0-5-0 Glasgow, Kentucky, USA W KO 2
1996-10-15 Larry Sutton 3-30-0 Pepsi Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA W TKO 1
1996-09-20 Chris Yslas 2-1-0 James Knight Convention Center, Miami, Florida, USA W TKO 1
1996-09-14 Randall Parker Miami, Florida, USA W TKO 1
1996-07-27 Teronie Watson 0-1-0 Miami, Florida, USA W KO 1
1996-05-11 Travis Clybourn 1-3-0 Miami, Florida, USA W KO 1
1996-04-06 Fernando Granda 1-3-0 Miami, Florida, USA W TKO 1

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