Joel Julio

Joel Jair Julio (born January 5, 1985 [http://www.mainevents.com/roster.php?id=32] in Montería, Colombia) is a professional boxer rated as a junior middleweight. In 2005, he was named ESPN.com's Boxing Prospect of the Year and he has appeared on Ring Magazine's New Faces feature, as well as in .

Pro Boxing Career

Julio's only loss was a 12 round unanimous decision to Puerto Rican Carlos Quintana on June 24, 2006. He has since moved up to Junior Middleweight and bounced back with 5 consecutive wins, a disputed split decision over Cosme Rivera and 3 impressive KO wins over Francisco Campos, Thomas Davis and Mauro Lucero.

On July 11th 2007, Julio faced Cornelius Bundrage of Contender fame. Julio's skill and accuracy became evident early in the fight as he outlanded the slower Bundrage. Julio scored knockdowns in the third and eighth rounds, ultimately winning via eighth round TKO.

Julio has been given the nickname "Love Child" by his fans. He will commonly wear a LC on his trunks because of this nickname.

Julio's latest bout took place against former "Contender" participant Ishe Smith on April 30, 2008 in Vancouver. Smith's defensive style nullified Julio's power but it was not enough to get him the win. Julio won almost every round just by outworking Smith. The fight was stopped in the 8th round. Julio won by TKO.

On August 13, 2008, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Julio defeated Jose Varela by sixth round technical knockout. Julio knocked down his opponent five times before Varela's corner stopped the fight after the conclusion of round six. [cite web
last =Perez
first =Santos A.
title =Boxing: Miami's Joel Julio makes TV splash with TKO victory
publisher ="Miami Herald"
date =2008-08-14
url =http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/boxing/story/641431.html
accessdate =2008-08-14 ]

During his career Julio has fought fighters such as Angel Granados, Carlos Wilfredo Vilches, Hicklet Lau, Carlos Quintana, Cosme Rivera, and Mauro Lucero.

As of August 2008, he has a professional record of 34-1-0 31 ko's in 35 bouts.

Titles won

Julio hasn't held a major title, but has captured the following finge belts:WBA FEDEBOL (Welterweight division)

WBC Continental Americas (Light Welterweight division)

WBA Fedecentro Welterweight (Welterweight division)

WBO Latino Welterweight (Welterweight division)

References

External Links

* Interview with Joel Julio [http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=14730&more=1]
*
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=2274307 ESPN.com article naming Joel Julio 2005 Prospect of the Year]