by Jeremy "Fasttalker" Bjornberg - 03/15/2006
Joel Julio
Age 21
Pro record: 27-0, 24 KOs
Hometown: Monteria, Colombia
Division: Junior Middleweight
Height: 21
Joel Julio has looked just as dominating lately against better competition as he did when he was fighting Colombian taxi drivers. In his last fight he took on Wilmer Mejia (15-6, 121 KOs) and as usual, he went right to work. Mejia was not able to withstand the two-fisted attack and succumbed to the pressure in round two.
As far as strength and power go, Joel Julio possesses more than any other young prospect I have analyzed. He does have a tendency to loop his punches a little bit but patience is probably all that needs to be developed to fix that problem.
The young bomber is in the mold of a Julian Jackson with power in both hands and determination to match. Julio has dominated thus far and with Buddy McGirt training him, he could very well become a champion in a few years. He has stayed busy and has already fought twice this year, both wins coming by way of knockout.
The biggest challenge of his young career will come on June 24 when he takes on undefeated Carlos Quintana (22-0, 18 KOs) in a WBA Welterweight title eliminator. That match-up should be able to answer a lot of questions about the make up of Joel Julio. He does lack defense but tries to make up for it by loading up with punches. Joel does have the talent to make a lot of money and enter the pound-for-pound foray.
Grade B+