‘Always expect the unexpected’ is just one of a few key lessons U.S. military men and women learn during while serving their country. Heavyweight prospect Michael Coffie not only applied that adage while serving in the U.S. Marines, but has also done so in real life after being honorably discharged years ago.
The unbeaten Coffie will be ready for anything late-sub Jonathan Rice throws at him, literally and figuratively, Saturday night in a crossroads clash. The 10-round bout will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and will headline a three-bout FOX PBC Fight Night telecast (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
Rice took the fight a few days ago after original opponent, former world title challenger Gerald Washington, had to withdraw from the fight after testing positive for COVID-19. Rice has faced unbeaten prospects in recent years and could present a modest challenge against Coffie Saturday night.
Coffie (12-0, 9 knockouts), who resides in Brooklyn, New York, has knocked out his last four opponents. The 35-year-old, who picked up boxing after returning from overseas after serving in the U.S. Marines, entered the heavyweight landscape by knocking out Luis Peña on August 8. Three months later, Coffie stopped Joey Abell in round 2 after the gatekeeper injured his right arm and could not continue.
In his last bout on January 30, the 35-year-old battered Darmani Rock, dropping him twice in round 3 before the fight was stopped.
Despite the last minute change of opponent, Coffie expects a tougher fight from Rice than what he would have received from Washington, but is confident he will be victorious Saturday night.
“When I look at Jonnie Rice, I think he might be more durable than Gerald Washington,” said Coffie at Thursday’s press conference. “To me, that just makes this a better fight. He’s big and tall, but so am I. He’s got some good experience with some known prospects and he’s gone the distance. I think it makes for a better fight for the fans. That’s what I want to give them.
“There’s some level of difficulty with a late opponent change. I can’t know for sure if he’s a tougher opponent until I’m in the ring with him. That’s just life though. You have to be prepared for things to go unexpectedly. I’ll be prepared for anything Saturday.”
In any heavyweight fight, knockdowns and knockouts are inevitable. Coffie anticipates an all-out war against Rice, but believes he has the tools to outlast Rice.
“After my initial reaction to hearing about Gerald getting sick, I just had to change the focus to Rice,” said Coffie, who is promoted by Marshall Kaufman. “I watched some tape and we made some minor tweaks to what we’re doing. We’re ready to go now and Saturday should be a good night. We’re the big guys, so you can expect big shots, blood and fireworks. Make sure you don’t miss it on Saturday night.
“My ability to focus and compartmentalize has helped me the most in my boxing career. I learn what the mission is, install a game plan and then follow it. It’s Marine Corps stuff really.”
Rice (13-6-1, 9 KOs), who lives and trains in Los Angeles, California, last fought on September 19, losing by unanimous decision to unbeaten prospect Efe Ajagba. In his previous fight on March 7 of last year, Rice was stopped by Demsey McKean of Australia.
The 34-year-old, who has also faced and lost to heavyweight prospects Stephen Shaw, Tony Yoka and Arslanbek Makhmudov, is confident he can be the first to hand Coffie his first loss as a pro.
“I’m feeling great,” said Rice. “I’m very prepared and excited. I’m also grateful for the opportunity. I was upset to hear about Gerald Washington getting sick and I wish him a speedy recovery, but when it’s time for your opportunity, you have to step up.
“I was on standby in the event that something happened to the fighters in the main event. I knew that I always had to be prepared no matter what. I have to give it my all on Saturday. I have to do my best to impress everyone. This is my time to show everyone who I am. The biggest thing is that I’m going out there to go to battle. I definitely feel like I’m a different kind of opponent than Gerald would have been. It’s going to be an exciting fight because of the unknown. We’re both coming to prove ourselves, so it’s really just about who wants it more.”
In the co-feature, 19-year-old Vito Mielnicki, Jr. (8-1, 5 KOs) of nearby Roseland will face Philadelphia’s James Martin (7-2) in an eight-round welterweight bout. The fight is a rematch of their April 17 bout that Martin won by majority decision.
In the opening bout of the telecast, unbeaten junior middleweight Joey Spencer (12-0, 9 KOs), who now resides in Union City, California will square off against Dan Karpency (9-3-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Karpency, who resides in Adah, Pennsylvania, lost his last bout after going unbeaten in his previous three.
Live action will continue after the FOX telecast on FS1 (tentatively scheduled for 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT). Former world super middleweight title challenger Andre Dirrell (27-3, 17 KOs) of Lake Worth, Florida will face Philadelphia’s Christopher Brooker (16-7, 6 KOs) in a 10-round bout.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene since September 2012 and The Ring since October of 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
