Heavyweight Michael Coffie faces Gerald Washington on July 31 in New Jersey

After a powerful run of knockout wins in latest fights, heavyweight Michael Coffie will step up the extent of opposition in his subsequent combat.

The unbeaten prospect will sq. off towards former world title challenger Gerald Washington July 31 on the Prudential Middle in Newark, New Jersey, Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) introduced Wednesday. 

The ten-round bout will headline a three-bout ‘FOX PBC Combat Evening’ telecast (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).

Coffie (12-0, 9 knockouts) will his palms full as he’ll take a big step-up in opposition towards Washington, who can have a slight top benefit going into the combat. Coffie, who resides in Brooklyn, New York, dropped Darmani Rock twice in spherical 3 en path to a knockout victory in his final bout on January 30. 

The 35-year-old has stopped his final 4 opponents, together with Luis Eduardo Pena on August 8 and gatekeeper Joey Abell three months later. Regardless of being at a drawback within the variety of fights fought and stage of opposition confronted so far as a professional, Coffie believes now could be the best time to face a fighter the likes of Washington. 

“That is going to be a extremely good combat,” mentioned Coffie, who turned professional virtually 4 years in the past after serving in the USA Marine Corps. “It’s a combat I have to get me transferring in the best route. I’ve been eager to combat Washington for some time now. He’s solely been beat by prime stage guys, and this can be a technique to show that I belong in that class. It’s wonderful to be headlining on FOX. It is a ‘no guts, no glory’ form of combat. I’ve to make the most of this chance in a step-up combat.”

Washington (20-4-1, 13 KOs) challenged then-WBC world titleholder Deontay Wilder in February 2017, shedding by knockout in spherical 5 in what was a aggressive combat. Since then, he has misplaced three of his final 5 bouts, together with knockout losses to Jarrell Miller, Adam Kownacki, and, in his final bout on February 20 of final yr, Charles Martin.

Regardless of his latest struggles within the ring, Washington believes he has the pedigree to defeat Coffie and get again into title competition. 

“I’m actual excited to be again within the ring and again on FOX,” mentioned Washington, who was a standout soccer participant on the College of Southern California and served in the USA Navy. “That is one other main alternative for me and I’m going to do all the pieces in my energy to completely capitalize on it. Michael Coffie is an efficient fighter. I like what I’ve seen from him thus far. To not point out, we’re each veterans. I’m wanting ahead to this combat and I anticipate fireworks. I imagine my expertise will carry me to victory. “

Within the co-feature, welterweight Vito Mielnicki, Jr. will face James Martin in a rematch from their April 17 conflict.

Mielnicki (8-1, 5 KOs), who resides about 12 miles away in Roseland, had knocked out Noe Lopez seven weeks previous to the Martin combat. Mielnicki entered the Martin combat at 151 kilos, 4.5 greater than the Lopez combat, and appeared sluggish as Martin was the more-effective fighter all through the eight-round bout.

The 19-year-old is assured he won’t make the identical errors as he did within the first combat towards Martin.

“I imagine all the pieces occurs for a cause and everybody has their very own path,” mentioned Mielnicki, who’s skilled by Joe Goossen. “James Martin was the higher man that evening in our first combat, and I do know what to anticipate from him come July 31. You gained’t see a younger prospect doing what I’m doing, making a rematch solely 4 months after my first profession loss, in my hometown and in entrance of my household and pals. Count on nothing however fireworks on July 31. I can’t wait to indicate the world why I’m completely different.”

Martin (7-2) had misplaced to unbeaten prospect Xander Zayas by unanimous determination eight weeks previous to the Mielnicki combat. Martin, who resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, started his professional profession having gained six of his first seven fights. 

“I’m going for the knockout this time,” mentioned Martin, who’s promoted by Marshal Kauffman. “You will note me combat higher. I really feel I’ve the benefit, as a result of I gave him his first loss, and he’ll all the time have that behind his head. I don’t assume that he can deliver something completely different within the rematch.”

Within the opening bout, junior middleweight Joey Spencer (12-0, 9 KOs) of Linden, Michigan will sq. off towards Dan Karpency (9-3-1, 4 KOs) of Adah, Pennsylvania in an eight-round bout.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October of 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He could be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing