Heavyweight boxer Michael Coffie was the main attraction on PBC on FOX, but late replacement Jonnie Rice crashed the party with a TKO in 5.
When Michael Coffie knocked out then-undefeated Darmani Rock in January, he looked like a heavyweight boxing contender. After his performance against Jonnie Rice on Saturday, July 31, those dreams are deflated.
Coffie (12-1, 9 KOs) was supposed to fight Gerald Washington on the PBC on FOX fight card, but Washington tested positive for COVID-19 days before the fight. Rice jumped in and made the most of his opportunity on national T.V.
Two days before the fight during a media call, Coffie told FanSided that he quickly studied up on Rice watching video, but he already had some knowledge of Rice and was familiar with him as a boxer.
Despite his confidence in his preparation, Coffie looked awed by Rice and ate punch after punch but had no answers.
Jonnie Rice was on a mission as he flipped the script and stopped the favorite Michael Coffie in the main event on FOX
Rice (14-6-1, 10 KOs) had a solid record but sported six losses, including a two-fight losing streak. He fought much better than his record indicated and took the fight to Coffie from the opening bell in front of the crowd at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Rice pumped his jab in Coffie’s face and moved well around the ring. Coffie proved to be a stagnant opponent and offered very little in return. Fight announcers thought that Coffie was biding his time and trying to get a feel for Rice’s power and style. Instead, he felt an abundance of pain from Rice’s punches and was powerless to do anything about it.
Rice piled up the points as the fight went on but visibly hurt Coffie in round 5 with a combination. Coffie stumbled back to the ropes on rubbery legs, and Rice continued to throw his hands. Coffie’s eyes were swollen, and it looked like one of Rice’s right crosses injured Coffie’s eye.
The referee didn’t like the punishment Coffie took or his body language and waved the fight off, giving Rice the unlikely round 5 TKO victory.
Coffie is 35 years old, and the chances of him moving back up the rankings in a significant way are unlikely. He looked his age and like a novice boxer. To be fair, Coffie didn’t start boxing until 2016, but his lack of experience showed, and it’s his Achilles heel.
Rice is no spring chicken at 34, but his win over Coffie could propel him into another meaningful fight. His record has some wear on it, but his win over Coffie could fuel his confidence moving forward.