Tim “Pitbull” Coleman was about to do what he’s not supposed to do. At a conference to announce his upcoming elimination bout against once-beaten Victor Cayo on April 29 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Coleman (18-1-1, 5 KOs) made his intentions clear: when handed the mic, he was going to openly look past Cayo and call out current IBF Super Lightweight Champion Zab Judah, the man he would potentially face next.
The mood at the conference was light and the narrative was clearly supposed to be that both young fighters were honored by the right to face such a great champion as Judah. Explaining that while he does respect his accomplishments, he is personally not a fan of Judah’s, Coleman was going to upset the apple cart by taunting a reigning world champion while he was supposed to be talking about his fight with Cayo.
When it comes to boxing, Tim Coleman has a habit of not doing what he’s supposed to do.
In his only loss, Coleman came out of obscurity and took a huge leap up in opposition while dropping a surprisingly debatable decision to then-unbeaten red-hot prospect James De La Rosa while the Showtime cameras rolled.
In December 2009, he was brought in as comeback fodder for then top contender Mike Arnaoutis in Arnaoutis’s promoter’s home base of New York City. However, Coleman stole the show and won the USBA Light Welterweight Championship by taking a close but well-deserved decision.
And then in October 2010, Coleman was again considered the underdog in a bout against well-regarded Patrick Lopez… Three rounds and two knockdowns later, he was a KO winner.
“I know I’m supposed to come in here and lose against Cayo, but I’m not going to do what they want. I’m a fighter who steps up and then steps over the level of competition,” explains the likeable 26-year-old Baltimore native.
Regarding Cayo, Coleman says he shouldn’t have too many problems. “He’s got a very small frame for this weight class and I doubt he’ll be strong enough to keep me off of him. And his defense isn’t so good. He doesn’t move his head enough. I know he’ll come out blazing, but I’ll just box him and keep coming forward until I wear him down and score a late KO.”
It’s this powerful belief in himself that has allowed Coleman to spring the series of upsets that have led to being on the verge of a world title shot. “I have an excellent core group that keeps me grounded and gives me the confidence I need to win. My father, Tim Coleman Sr. and my best friend Raymond Zabeti are always there for me.”
Interestingly for someone so often pegged as an underdog, the hard-working Coleman had approximately 200 amateur fights, is trained by Roger Mayweather, promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and has been in camp with notables including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Cory Spinks, Alfredo Angulo, and Steve Forbes among many others.
When his turn came at the mic, Coleman looked out into the crowd and saw that Judah had already left, so instead he said a few respectful words about Cayo and left it at that.
But until the boxing world stops underestimating him, Tim Coleman will continue to look for opportunities to do the wrong thing.
Adama vs. Upshaw weights
CHICAGO / NEW YORK (March 25, 2011)—On Friday night in Chicago a terrific night of boxing that will feature two title bouts will take place but on Thursday night the fireworks started early as Angel Hernandez and Joey Hernandez engaged in a brawl just after they weighed in for their USBO Jr. Middleweight.
That fight plus the IBO Intercontinental Middleweight title bout between Osmanu Adama and Marcus Uoshaw will be part of a broadcast that can be seen on www.gfl.tv for just $9.99 by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Chicago_Fight_Night__3_World_Titles_One_Night/991
The tension has been brewing since the fight was announced between Hernandez and Hernandez.
After they each weighed in at the Jr. Middleweight limit, the two posed face to face and that’s when everything came unraveled.
“There was stuff said going into this”, said Joey Hernandez
“He was fed up and when we had the stare down he pushed me.”
“My Mom was there and didn’t want to escalate any further, but Angel told my mom to F*** off and that totally crossed the line”
Hernandez and Hernandez will not have long to wait to settle their hostilities as they will settle it in the ring on Friday in front of the whole world.
FULL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
Osamanu Adama-160 vs Marcus Upshaw-157
(IBO Intercontinental Middleweight championship)
Angel Hernandez-154 vs Joey Hernandez-154
(USBO Jr. Middleweight championship)
Lanardo Tyner -147 vs Adrian Granados -148
Antonio Canas-140 vs Andrew Hartley -145
Eric Estrada-131 vs James Lester-130
Mike Jimenez-167 vs Cameron Allen -165
Brooke Dierdorff -132.5 vs Ashleigh Curry -133
UPCOMING BOXING ON GFL.TV
April 2—Pound for Pound Promotions featuring undefeated Super Middleweight Farah Ennis and sensational Heavyweight knockout artist Amir “Hardcore” Mansour
Robb, Morales Highlight Solo Boxeo Undercard
Fight fans attending tonight’s nationally televised event at the Fairfield Sports Center in Fairfield, California will get a glimpse at two of the most promising young fighters in the country, let alone the state. Both Guy Robb of Sacramento and Roman Morales of San Ardo continue their blossoming careers on the non-televised undercard of tonight’s Telefutura Solo Boxeo telecast.
Robb (2-0, 1 KO) returns to the Fairfield Sports Center for the second consecutive month as he takes on debuting Manuel Morales of Orosi, California in a four-round lightweight bout. Last month Robb’s opponent came in over the contracted weight, but the former amateur standout took the fight anyway and scored two knockdowns en route to a four-round unanimous decision.
Somewhat ironically, Robb’s opponent tonight also came in heavy, three pounds over at 136 to be exact. Robb, who scared two pounds under at 131, did not seemed bothered by the turn of events. “I feel strong and we trained hard for him,” said Robb confidently after the weigh-in. “Some people are just more disciplined than others, but I am just worried about myself and doing what I am supposed to do.”
“Guy Robb is going to punish the kid for doing that,” says Robb’s manager Repo Ric. “He is going to punish him. You better believe that.” Ric, who also manages Morales and a third fighter on the card, Carlos Musquez, was pleased by Robb’s performance last month. “He brought a crowd and he did a good job last time. The kid [he fought] was 142-pounds, and Guy Robb was 133. The fight shouldn’t have taken place, but Guy Robb said he could do it, so I said ok go ahead and do it. We knocked the kid down twice to make sure we had that win.”
Robb is excited to be staying busy and looks forward to continuing this pace throughout the 2011. “I am happy, and I hear it is going to be like this all year,” said Robb. “So we are happy, my team is happy and Repo Ric is doing a great job. We are just going to stay in the gym, grind this year out and hopefully we get them every month.”
Morales (1-0, 1 KO) of San Ardo, California turned pro on February 4th with a first-round knockout of normally durable Shaun Solomon in Santa Ynez, California. Tonight Morales will take on a fighter better than his record would indicate in Danny Pantoja (0-3-2) of Fairfield in a four-round super bantamweight bout. Morales, who capped his stellar amateur career with a gold medal at the prestigious Four Nations Tournament last November, a fight fall out at the end of last month and is ready and raring to go tonight. “I was a little anxious to get a fight and I am happy to have a fight now,” said Morales. “I have trained really hard for it, and I am ready to go out there and do what I have to do.”
In preparation for tonight’s bout, Morales, promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, got in some quality work with world ranked super featherweight contender Eloy Perez, who is preparing for a fight in April. “I had some great sparring with Eloy,” said Morales. “He is really talented and he is really fast. He has a really fast jab and also some good power, so I definitely have to move. Also, he puts on lots of pressure and makes me work. That is what I like. He also lets me work, and I thank for helping me out.”
Morales’ opponent Pantoja came in at 125-pounds, while the San Ardo native scaled 123. Morales will have a strong cheering section making the drive up to Fairfield from the Central Valley tonight, and plans to send them home happy. “They should expect a win,” said Morales. “I am here to win and that’s all.”
Repo Ric, ever the boxing hype man, has a pitch to any fight fan still thinking about coming out to the Fairfield Sports Center tonight. “You’ve got Guy Robb, and man he is a beast,” says Repo with conviction. “As soon as they piss him off, he is coming with it. So the crowd is going to love that. You’ve got Roman Morales, who is just smooth the man is. He will stay in the pocket with you all day long, so you better be moving around. Then you got Carlos Musquez, he is a sleeper. He’s got a trainer Ray Woods that’s teaching him good defense, so you better watch out for him. You better be here. Get your popcorn, get your beer and get ready.”
Any tickets remaining for tonight’s event, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Don Chargin Productions, Jorge Marron Productions and Paco Presents will be sold at the door. In the televised main event, Antonio Escalante takes on Alejandro Perez in a ten-round super featherweight bout. In the co-main event, Carlos Musquez battles Clint Coronel in a six-round light middleweight fight.