KHALIL Coe delivered a punch-perfect performance in Guadalajara, Mexico, last night, avenging his loss to Manuel Gallegos in dominant fashion. Gallegos had stopped Coe in round nine last November, dropping the New Jersey man numerous times, picking up his WBC USA 175-pound strap in the process.
Khalil blew that damaging display out of the water, pushing Gallegos back for five rounds, smashing his nose open, causing significant damage around the eyes.
In the end, the Montiel brothers in Gallegos’ corner decided their man had suffered enough and pulled him out before round six could begin. Referee Pablo Diaz Cruz dutifully accepted their decision.
Prior to this rematch, there was much talk about Coe’s medical issues hampering the first fight, adding intrigue. Were these legitimate complaints or the talk of a fighter finding reasons for his lacklustre showing?
The answer was delivered definitively: Coe had clearly overtrained to the point of illness in order to fulfil the first-fight obligations. Next time would be different, he promised. The 28-year-old was 100 per cent correct.
The return fixture, on Gallegos’ home turf, was a chance for revenge. Coe’s spiteful left jab opened a round one split across Gallegos’ nose. That spearing shot became an effective power punch and was the story of the fight. The lanky Mexican could not avoid it, no matter how hard he tried. Coe grew in confidence round after round.
Improving his record to 10-1-1 (8 KOs), Coe’s left-handed rangefinder, mixed with good head and body movement, kept Gallegos, 21-3-1 (18 KOs), guessing. More tellingly, the heavy shots forced a come-forward operator onto the back foot. As soon as Gallegos backed up, the fight was as good as over.
Coe later referenced his physical and internal problems that marred the first display. He went on to warn light-heavyweight rivals to be wary of mentioning his name. After that performance, they can believe he means business.
