Three time former world champion Randall “The Knock-Out King” Bailey has made the long trip from the US to Australia for one reason – to knock Brisbane’s Jeff Horn out. As Bailey puts it, “it’s just business, nothing personal.”
There are high local hopes for Jeff Horn. He is undefeated in his 14-fight professional career, after narrowly missing a medal at the London Olympics. But Randall Bailey (46-8) will be his biggest test by far. He has tremendous power in both hands, with 39 of his 46 career victories being knockouts.
The bout will take place at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Wednesday, April 27. It had to be postponed for 7 weeks after Horn fractured his larynx in sparring and required surgery. You can read our Roar interview with Jeff Horn here.
Randall Bailey has also taken time out from his fight preparation to answer a few questions.
How did you get into boxing?
When I was a young kid I used to get in a lot of fights. I used to walk by a gym all the time with my friends, and I was keen to go in there. When I was about 14, I called them up one day to find out about it and then my Mom took me down there. Everything just took off from there.
What do you know about Jeff Horn and why will you beat him?
I’ve watched tapes of him. He’s an aggressive, come forward type of fighter who throws a lot of punches. I’ll beat him because that’s my mentality. I always go into a fight confident that I can knock the other guy out if I catch him.
What do you rate as the best win of your career?
My knockout win over Mike Jones to win the IBF world welterweight title in Las Vegas in 2012. He was undefeated at the time.
Who is the toughest opponent you have faced in your career?
Hector Lopez from Mexico. I defended my world lightweight title against him in 1999. But I was still young and he was a crafty veteran. He was doing things in the ring that I hadn’t seen before. I learned a lot in that fight.
What part of your training do you enjoy the most?
Just kicking back in the gym with my team, laughing and having a good time while we’re preparing. It’s fun. I enjoy doing what I’m doing with the right people around me.
What is a typical day’s training for you?
I train for about 4 or 5 hours a day. In the morning I’ll run for up to an hour, followed by some more strength and conditioning work. I’ll do some more work in the evening like sparring, working the pads or the bags.
How do you psyche yourself up in the dressing room before a fight?
I understand the business and that once you get in the ring, anything can happen. So I make sure I’m ready to go to war.
What is your favourite sport other than boxing?
I watch a bit of everything, I like basketball and football.
Who do you admire?
Workers.
What is your favourite music?
I listen to a lot of rap, but I also like slow music.
What is your favourite movie?
Training Day with Denzel Washington.
What is your favourite book?
When I was in elementary school I read Sugar Ray Leonard’s book “The Baby Faced Assassin”.
What is your favourite food?
I have 3 favourite foods – fried chicken, baked beans and macaroni cheese. But I can’t have them too often because they have a lot of salt.
What was your first job?
My first real paying job was at Burger King. But when I was about 10 years old, me and my friends used to go to the local grocery store and bag people’s groceries to get tips.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to have family dinners or go to amusement parks with my fiancée and 4 kids.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I’d like to thank Duco Promotions for putting on this fight and also Jeff Horn for accepting the fight. He didn’t have to take it. We called a lot of contenders out there, and none of them wanted to answer the phone. On Wednesday, we’ll give the fans a great show.
The Roar will run a live blog of the fight between Jeff Horn and Randall Bailey this Wednesday, April 27.
In the meantime, find out why Randall Bailey is known as “The Knock-Out King” by watching his highlight reel below.
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