TIM COLEMAN ON THE RISE

In boxing, there are many characters: Those who are loved, hated, feared and at times overlooked. For the moment, Baltimore, Maryland’s Tim “Pit Bull” Coleman seems to think he’s all of the above. With an attitude that takes aim at anyone willing to short change his abilities or determination, Coleman could fast become one of the more recognizable names at 140 pounds should he be given the opportunity he feels he deserves.

“I feel like my time is now, this is my year to shine,” said Coleman as he prepares for his July 25th rematch with journeyman “Magnificent” Martinus Clay of Philadelphia, PA. “I think I’m one of the top fighters out there. I’m fast, flashy, I’m nice looking, and I know I’m the type of fighter that people like to watch. I am what boxing needs.”

Boxing since the age of 12, Coleman gained motivation from the viciousness of Aaron Pryor, his progression in the gym alongside Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and the strong willed/trash talking qualities of his father, Tim Coleman, Sr. When he steps into the ring, Coleman believes that qualities from all three men are what make him the fighter he is today, evident by his inability to stifle his words. “A lot of people say I have a big mouth, and they’re right,” said Coleman. “I’m not quiet spoken, I’m not humble, and I don’t want to be my opponent’s friend. I feel like I’m a marketable fighter.”

Truer words could not have been spoken as Coleman trains for his rematch with Clay at the Ricky Hatton Boxing Gym in Manchester, England with his new team headed by trainer Lee Beard, whom Coleman says has taken his boxing to another level. The two fought to a draw on December 7th, 2007, a result Coleman is sure was due to a broken hand he suffered in the first round, and one that he plans to reverse on July 25th. “I’m going to beat his ass and then I’m going to stop him!”

With only one professional loss on his record, a thin Unanimous Decision defeat at the hands of James De la Rosa on an October 8, 2008 ShoBox card, Coleman himself recognizes that he should have chosen to box instead of fight toe-to-toe. After the bout took place, he decided to drop back down to Junior Welterweight, where he started his career and feels more comfortable. “Tim is a ready made champion at 140 pounds,” said rising Super Bantamweight prospect and son of Lee Beard, Adrian Gonzalez. “All he needs is an opportunity.”

Should things pan out the way the Pit Bull imagines, it could very well be a step in the right direction for a career he imagines will flourish if progressed the right way. If his rematch with clay positively showcases his abilities at 140, Coleman may very well raise a lot of eyebrows, though preferably not in a way that his idol Aaron Pryor did early in his career, which resulted in little recognition and fear from many potential opponents. The young Baltimore native seems to possess all the tools necessary to make an elite fighter, including will and youth with the strongest point seemingly being his confidence.

After all, he is what boxing needs.