Chris Colbert has a plan to develop into a world champion, by transferring down in weight to 130lbs.
The Brooklyn native, 28, is scheduled to combat on ProBox TV for the primary time, towards the 24-year-old Omar Salcido Gamez of Mexico, in a light-weight contest 10 months after struggling a sixth-round knockout loss to Jose Valenzuela. The defeat by Valenzuela got here within the rematch that adopted him beforehand successful a unanimous resolution over 10 rounds.
Colbert got here near preventing for the WBA junior-lightweight title towards the then-champion Roger Gutierrez in February 2022, however the titleholder pulled out two weeks earlier than combat evening due to a constructive check for COVID-19. Gutierrez was changed by the underdog Hector Luis Garcia in what grew to become a WBA 130lbs title eliminator.
In an upset, Garcia dominated the favourite Colbert, and gained a 12-round unanimous resolution by way of scores of 119-108, 118-109 and 118-109.
Forward of the combat with Gamez (19-1, 13 KOs), Colbert 17-2, (6 KOs) says he’s able to show his price on his return to the ring.
“I used to be imagined to have been a world champion if I might afford the man I used to be imagined to combat after which take a last-minute substitute, but it surely’s life,” Colbert advised BoxingScene.
“The whole lot occurs for a purpose. Generally in life, they are saying while you need one thing, God may not give it to you since you may not know how you can deal with it when he provides it to you. He’s gonna give it to you when he is prepared and that is simply part of it.
“I am not complaining. I am taking place in weight to 130 to problem for honors there.”
Colbert has spent most of his skilled profession at junior light-weight. His solely light-weight outing got here within the two fights with Jose Valenzuela. On October 9 he’s billed to face Gamez at 135, however Colbert believes the 130lbs division stays his surest guess at realizing his world-title dream.
“I have been off the ring for too lengthy and I can’t soar again down only a bit to 130,” he mentioned. “I will probably be preventing at 135 on October 9 however will certainly transfer down.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports activities journalist with a specialty in boxing protection. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He may be reached on X (previously Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and thru e mail at bernardneequaye@gmail.com.
