BoxRec

Am currently writing a preview of the Irene Pacheco-Damean Kelly IBF flyweight title showdown that takes place a week on Saturday in Bogota, Colombia. Does anyone know who the last visiting fighter was to win a world title in Colombia? I know Venezuela's Jesus "Kiki" Rojas outpointed Fidel Bassa for the WBA flyweight crown in Colombia in 1989, but that's 14 years ago.

Off the top of my head the first thing comes to mind is on Oct. 9, 1992
when Jorge Eliecer Julio beat Eddie Cook for the WBA 118 title in Cartagena.

Blue wrote:Off the top of my head the first thing comes to mind is on Oct. 9, 1992
when Jorge Eliecer Julio beat Eddie Cook for the WBA 118 title in Cartagena.

Thank you, Blue. Great work.

Unfortunately, I just realized that U asked who was the last "visiting" fighter.
Julio was the homeboy!

Please excuse the brain fart.

Blue wrote:Unfortunately, I just realized that U asked who was the last "visiting" fighter.
Julio was the homeboy!

Please excuse the brain fart.

No, it was a great help (and my thread title was wholly misleading). It's another example of how difficult it is for a good fighter to win in Colombia, which is also what I need. Cook was a damn good little champion. If I remember rightly, he won his bantamweight title in a war with the huge-punching Luisito Espinosa. But he couldn't get past Julio in a quick first defence.
Damaen Kelly must be getting well paid to travel over to Bogota for a crack.

Well, its damn shame that Kelly is only now getting a shot at the ae of 30 and under such difficult circumstances.

Many long reigning European and minor world title holders had had easier chances at the title. I know its partly Kelly's fault cause he hasn't really operated at world level. Just a shame he's not got home billing.

The skills are there for Kelly to win this one, I know a few Irish guys who boxed with him as an amateur and they said he is a pleasure to watch in the flesh. I'm a big fan of his skills.

If Kelly wins this one it gos alongside McCullough's world title win and (although not quite ahead of) Honeyghun's greatest hour.

Having said that I remember his challenge for the European title and he was very lucky to get the decision that night, maybe top 5 standard fighters will prove to be a Bridge too far. I don't know, he's probably matured as a fighter from the time he first captured the European champions.

My Pick is Pacheco on pts.

bennie,
U might want to re-check the fight location again as he Colombian news sites are saying it's gona b at the Salón “Jumbo” in the Country Club in Barranquilla, province of Atlantico.

Actually it’s good for Kelly as it is on the Caribbean Coast. The altitude of Bogotá is quite high & not good for one who’s not accustomed.

Too bad U aren’t covering the show in person as the scenery & women are beautiful!

BTW,
The referee of the fight will be the Colombian Manuel Rodríguez and the judges Uriel Aguilera, also from Colombia, Richard Green, of Florida, USA and Dave Parrish, from England.

Blue wrote:bennie,
U might want to re-check the fight location again as he Colombian news sites are saying it's gona b at the Salón “Jumbo” in the Country Club in Barranquilla, province of Atlantico.

Actually it’s good for Kelly as it is on the Caribbean Coast. The altitude of Bogotá is quite high & not good for one who’s not accustomed.

Too bad U aren’t covering the show in person as the scenery & women are beautiful!

BTW,
The referee of the fight will be the Colombian Manuel Rodríguez and the judges Uriel Aguilera, also from Colombia, Richard Green, of Florida, USA and Dave Parrish, from England.

Thanks for the inside information, Blue. And it's good to know one of the judges is a Brit.