By: Sean Crose
With an undefeated 16-0 record, 25-year-old Chris “PrimeTime” Colbert has what it takes to go big. In fact, he was supposed to fight for the WBA lightweight title at Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on Saturday night, but his opponent, Roger Gutierrez, knocked Covid down. Thus, widely unknown – but undefeated – Dominican Republic native, Hector Luis Garcia, 14-0, stepped in and seized the opportunity of a lifetime. The fight between him and Colbert was a scheduled 12th round title elimination.
Colbert showed lightning speed the first time. Garcia fought aggressively in the second inning, making it clear that – although he was a substitute opponent – he would not be promoted. Both men made trade-offs in the third inning. It was a battle closer than some might have expected from before. Garcia used a hit and hold strategy in the fourth installment. The bottom team also exerts effective pressure. By the fifth round, it was clear that Garcia’s aggression, combined with his Southpaw style, got Colbert in trouble. Colbert tries to stay away from his man in season six. Garcia, however, can still corner him.
Garcia then dropped his man in the seventh installment. Colbert stood up, but he had to avoid Garcia to survive the round. Catching Colbert in a corner, Garcia gave chase. However, Colbert, with his credit, was able to weather the storm. In season eight, it looked like Garcia could once again stop Colbert in the corner. Yet again, Colbert survived. Colbert came into the field full of energy in the ninth minute, no doubt hoping to turn the tables on his man. Yet again, Garcia was able to beat Colbert in the corner.
By tenths, Colbert really just held back. He’s taking a punch and basically delivering no benefit. Colbert clearly had nothing left in the eleventh round, except for his legs, which he used to avoid his ferocious opponent. At one point, Garcia threw his arms up in frustration. Colbert came off the field furiously in the twelfth minute, but then spent most of the half retreating. Needless to say, the umpires awarded Garcia the win by unanimous decision.
This is without a doubt a huge disappointment in the fighting world.
