SALISBURY, MD- Maryland prospects Fernando Guerrero (9-0, 9 KOs) and Tim “Pit Bull” Coleman (14-0-1, 3 KOs), take center stage this Friday, October 3rd, on Showtime with coverage beginning live at 11pm. Guerrero, who is fighting in his adopted hometown of Salisbury (via the Dominican Republic) and Coleman who hails from Baltimore, will have stiff challenges as they take on undefeated opponents Tyrone “TT” Watson (7-0, KOs 3) of Pittsburgh and former World Boxing Council (WBC) youth welterweight champion “King” James De la Rosa (17-0, 12 KOs), of Harlingen, Texas, respectively.
Guerrero, who turned pro last December, has fought a Mike Tyson-like 9 fights in 8 months. He has responded well to every challenge, delivering a knockout each time. In fact, he has fought just 18 rounds in the 9 bouts. In contrast, Watson has fought just 7 times since making his pro debut in May 2006, and has not fought since July 2007.
Tyrone “TT” Watson comes into the match having fought stiffer competition. He defeated Stephan Pryor (10-3, KOs 7) by split decision in October 2006 and won a majority decision over Dyah Davis (12-1, KOs 7) this past April.
For both young fighters the scheduled eight round distance could become a second opponent in the ring forcing both to pace themselves so as to avoid fading down the stretch. Neither has ever fought for eight rounds, with Watson’s longest being six rounds and Guerrero’s being four. The length of the battle could wear either man down, particularly Watson, given his 15-month inactivity.
I’ve spoken to locals and all of them seem to expect Guerrero to knock Watson out as a matter of course. I have a different view. I think Tyrone Watson is coming to fight. He’s going to give it his all and the winner will have landed himself a key victory in front of a national audience, which is always good in developing a name for oneself. I do not think this fight will be easy for either man.
The main event of the night features Tim “Pit Bull” Coleman against “King” James De la Rosa. Though Coleman will have the crowd on his side, he is a heavy underdog. In “The Pit Bull’s” last match this past December in Pikesville, Maryland, he could only eek out a draw against North Carolina native Martinus Clay. Clay came into the bout on a five match losing streak and with an overall record of 12-18-2 with 4 knockouts. It was the only time Coleman has ever gone ten rounds, the length of this affair. When considering Coleman’s sparkling 14-0-1 record, mull over the combined record of his opponents (coming into bouts with him) is a paltry 76-103. But before you count Coleman totally out, I’ve seen him fight and he is an awkward, slick fighter that is not going to present an easy target.
While no one can accuse De la Rosa of making an assault upon the top echelon of the division, he has fought and beaten more successful club fighters without yet stumbling to a loss, draw, split decision of majority decision. He’s coming off of a three card 80-72 shut out of Troy Wilson (9-7-1, KOs 4) who has never been knocked out. Previously, De la Rosa had knocked out his previous four opponents.
I look for De la Rosa to try to establish his power game early and expect him to go to Coleman’s body relentlessly over the first 4-5 rounds. Coleman will move, fight in spots and try to flick the jab to pick up points, while doing his best Chris Byrd bob-and-weave. In the end “King” James De la Rosa should land enough power shots to the body to sap the energy from “The Pit Bull’s” legs hindering Colemen’s defense. This should allow him to win via unanimous decision somewhere in the neighborhood of 98-92.
When the lights dim over the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center and the crowd shuffles out the true winner will be those who have witnessed what I expect to be furious struggles for ring supremacy. If you are in the area I encourage you to watch the action live, if not tune in to Showtime.
Tickets range in price from $15 to $100 and are available at the Civic Center box office from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. as well as online 24 hours a day at wicomicociviccenter.org. You can still order on line and the tickets will be held at the box office.