In an interesting fight between unbeaten heavyweights, Michael Coffie (12-0, 9 KOs) scored an impressive third round KO over Darmani Rock (17-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday night in the Caleb-Caleb co-feature at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Coffie dropped Rock in round three with a left uppercut. Rock barely beat the count, but was quickly floored again by a left hook. Time was :59.
“He had quick hands we knew that, but timing beats speed,” Coffie said. “They said he shuffles his feet and drops his hands. They told me to wait for him to shuffle his feet and then drop that left hand on him.
“I don’t want to sound like I’m jumping the gun or anything like that or downplaying the need for experience. But I don’t think I’m that far off. I think I have power, movement, and I think just my style of fighting that can really contend with anybody.”
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Unbeaten super welterweight Joey Spencer (12-0, 9 KOs) demolished Isiah Seldon (14-4-1, 5 KOs) in the first round. Spencer dropped Seldin with a right hand. Seldin got up, but soon after was deducted two points for hitting behind the head by referee Jerry Cantu. Spencer then floored Seldin again and the fight was quickly waved off. Seldin, son of former heavyweight champion Bruce Seldin, complained to no avail. Time was 2:15.
Former world champion “Kid Blast” Rances Barthelemy (28-1-1, 14 KOs) outboxed All Rivera (24-4, 18 KOs) over ten dull rounds in a welterweight bout. Scores were 97-93, 99-91, 100-90.
Light heavyweight prospect Atif Oberlton (1-0, 1 KO) won his pro debut by third round TKO against Nathan Sharp (4-3, 4 KOs). Mercy stoppage by referee Sharon Sands at :48.
Middleweights “Bad News” Brandyn Lynch (10-1-1, 8 KOs) and Mark “Madman” Hernandez (14-4-2, 3 KOs) from The Contender battled to a draw in an eight-rounder. Scores were 78-74 Hernandez, 77-75 Lynch, 76-76. Lynch is the nephew of comedian Eddie Murphy.
I will never watch a ‘Rancid Barthelemy’ fight again. Just terrible and he’s given a national tv spot on a Saturday evening? Why? This card looks like a blowout ….ugh
Barthelemy somehow missed his turn. There was a time where I thought he was going to be the man to beat at lightweight. Somewhere something went wrong.
Outstanding, Coffie!! Win, lose or draw, I will always support good U.S. Marines.
Coffie looked real good, I thought Lynch was robbed.
I had to turn the sound off, between Potter telling us how great he is and the other guy gave me a headache, put Ward back on the air!!!!
I have to agree. Normally Porter is a pretty good commentator but last night he was an annoying motormouth.
I don’t think he’s too far off either. It’s not like the HW division is loaded with talent, and he showed some surprisingly good technique for someone so new to the game.
It’s probably time to move him on to fighting guys like Helenius, Washington or maybe David Price. Actually Ajagba would be a good over-hyped guy his team could target, but it’s unlikely Ajagba’s team would have any interest.
I agreed with the 2 point deduction. The rabbit punches were egregious and malicious. Kept doing it when the ref was telling him to stop. Glad he got embarrassed.
Great KO performance by Michael Coffie, “Like the drink, but not spelled the same”. I’m a fan of this guy now, he seems to be class act, and actually throws a few well-timed punches with vicious intent! Darmani Rock seemed way out of shape here. Not sure if he was ever really serious about boxing to begin with. Maybe put Coffie in with someone like Lucas Browne next.
If Julian Williams puts on 100 pounds of flab, he’ll look just like Darmani Rock
Nice performance by COFFIE over ROCK. Was privileged to eyewitness in real life with my own eyes COFFIE vs YOUNG at Zembo in Harrisburg, PA on 12/14/2019. That Saturday night it was more than evident I was watching a “Worldclass Contender” in action. It’s more than his physical presence because he got all that, it’s his mental outlook “style ” that elevates his chance at a TITLE FIGHT. It seems it could and should happen. The big question is when, the fuse is burning, and that is EXCITEMENT!
My friend fought coffie in the NY Golden gloves. My friend outboxed him the first 2 rounds then Coffie Ko’d him in the 3rd. He has grown by leaps and bounds since that fight. He was ripped at 287 in the gloves. Took off some weight and now weighs 270. The next time my friend fought, coffie was sitting next to me in the 1st row yelling instructions. he is just a good guy with brutal power and fighting with smarts, he also can take a big punch.