Connect with us

Articles of 2005

Joel Julio Gets Better and Better

Published

on

For quite some time, Carl Moretti, the Vice President of the New Jersey-based promotional firm Main Events, had been hearing about Joel Julio, a teenaged welterweight sensation from Monteria, Colombia, who was described to him as being a genuine blue-chip prospect.

“After all that I’d read and heard about Joel, I had to see him,” said Moretti, who has seen no shortage of cant-miss prospects miss the boat once they moved up their level of competition. “I watched a tape of Joel against Antonio Soriano in a bout that took place in a small casino off the [Las Vegas] Strip. He destroyed Soriano, who was no stiff, in three rounds. Looking at the big picture, it wasn’t who Julio had beaten; it was how he was beating everyone in devastating fashion.”

The Soriano bout took place at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in November 2004. Shortly afterwards Moretti contacted Julio’s advisor, the Miami-based Tuto Zabala Jr., and expressed his interest in working with the young prospect. The 20-year-old Julio is now solely promoted by Main Events, which has kept him busy since April 2005. Julio, whose record now stands at 24-0 (21 KOs), won all three fights he had with Main Events by knockout.

The one that impressed Moretti the most was his stunning third round stoppage of Carlos Vilches in Miami in April. Just ten months earlier, Vilches had been somewhat competitive in losing a 12 round decision to current IBF junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton in Hatton’s hometown of Manchester, England.

“I always take big punchers with a grain of salt, because so many of them are one dimensional,” said Moretti. “In Joel’s case, I looked at the [19] fights he had in Colombia and, from an experience standpoint, cut them in half. The chances are that they meant nothing. But this kid is legitimate. Physically, he looks a lot like Miguel Cotto and he is as good an offensive fighter as I’ve seen come around in a long while.”

In August Julio took on useful veteran Christopher Henry in Rosemont, Illinois. Applying his trademark pressure and proficient two-fisted attack, he bounced Henry off the canvas several times before registering an impressive fourth round TKO. That fight is now on a tape that Main Events is distributing to the media to show what a bonafide prospect he is.

“Henry was in shape and came to fight,” said Moretti. “He’s a tall, rangy guy with lots of experience. I’d take three more of those kinds of fights in a minute.”

After viewing a tape of that fight, HBO color commentator Larry Merchant was quoted by writer Dan Rafael as saying Julio is “the best young fighter to come along since Miguel Cotto emerged after the 2000 Olympics.”

Although Julio, who started boxing at age nine, does not have any Olympic pedigree, he reportedly was 85-0 as an amateur and was a two-time national champion in his native country. He is also a high school graduate whose mother is the former secretary of the governor of his hometown. His father, Felipe, was a Miami-based journeyman lightweight who compiled an 11-12-1 (9 KOs) record between 1979 and 1990. Among the recognizable names Felipe competed against are Darryl Tyson, Tracy Spann and Gert Bo Jacobsen.

As an amateur the younger Julio learned not only to win, but perhaps more importantly, to do so in entertaining fashion. As disciplined and calculated as his offensive arsenal is, he fights every minute of every round as if he is fighting for his survival.

“Because Joel is such a hard puncher and applies such relentless pressure, he is very entertaining to watch,” said Main Events publicist Donald Tremblay. “He’s been working in [Vero Beach] Florida with [trainer] Buddy McGirt and has shown real championship potential.”

What’s more, says Moretti, Julio has displayed a maturity level that belies his youthfulness. Besides being even keeled, well-mannered, and physically and emotionally well-developed, he is a tireless worker in the gym and is always cognizant of the sacrifices necessary to be successful in such a challenging and dangerous vocation.

“He does all that is asked of him—and more,” said Moretti. “He doesn’t have to be pampered. He is an eager learner and willing to mix it up with anyone in the gym. He’s even gotten in the ring with Antonio Tarver.”

Right now, adds Moretti, the most important ingredient for continued success is to keep Julio busy and to Americanize his style a bit. While he doesn’t want to try and fix what’s not broken, he thinks Julio needs to become a little more well-rounded before he goes after the stalwarts of his division.

“Network executives are very interested in Joel,” said Moretti. “I don’t see how they couldn’t be. As good as he is, he’s still a work in progress. He gets better and better by the day, but with tough guys like Zab Judah and Antonio Margarito down the road I want to make sure he’s ready for anything. He’s only 20, so there’s lots of time for him to learn even more. A few more good learning experiences, and he just might be unbeatable.”

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles19 hours ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles3 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles5 days ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles6 days ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles1 week ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles1 week ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending