Bailey vs. Bonsu in Belgium

January 10th, 2010

According to sources, a potential fight between Randall Bailey and Jackson Bonsu is in the works for late February. The fight would take place in Bonsu’s native Belgium as an IBF Welterweight title eliminator. Bailey, is currently ranked 8th by IBF, while Bonsu is currently ranked 7th by the IBF and 8th by the WBC.

The former two-time world Champion, Bailey made a successful move up to the Welterweight division by winning a dominant eight round decision over Germaine Sanders in December. The hard hitting Bailey dropped Sanders three times in the fight. In April of 2009, Bailey became the number one contender for the IBF Light Welterweight title with a sensational knockout over Francisco Figueroa. Four months later, Bailey squared off against Juan Urango in the season finale of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights for the title. While coming up short in his bid for a third world title, Bailey showed his power by dropping the iron chinned Urnago for the first time in his career.

Former European champion Jackson Bonsu has notable wins over former world champion Carlos Baldomir and Ukrainian prospect Viktor Plotnikov. The power puncher Bonsu won the European Welterweight title in 2007 with an 8th round KO over Nordine Mouchi. Bonsu defended the title five times before losing a controversial fight to Rafal Jackiewicz. In July of 2009, Bonsu lost a WBC Welterweight title eliminator to undefeated prospect Selcuk Aydin.

The winner of the Bailey-Bonsu fight will get the opportunity to fight the winner of Rafal Jackiewicz and current title holder Jan Zaveck. Zaveck, whose only career loss is by split decision to Jackiewicz, won the IBF Welterweight title with a shocking third round KO over Isaac Hlatshwayo.