Chris Colbert was disappointed but not devastated when his first opportunity to fight for a world title fell through, the result of WBA 130-pound champ Roger Gutierrez’s positive test for COVID-19.
He knows his time will come soon enough.
The 25-year-old Brooklyn native was set to challenge Gutierrez this Saturday in Las Vegas (Showtime) but Gutierrez pulled out about two weeks ago. Hector Luis Garcia agreed to step in shortly afterward for what is now being billed a title eliminator.
If things go well, Colbert said, Gutierrez comes next.
“Hundred percent we’re going to get the shot at Gutierrez after this fight,” he told Boxing Junkie, “but we’re not looking past this fight. We still got a tough test ahead of us, an undefeated Olympian.
“So we’re going to stay focused on this fight for right now.”
That makes sense. Garcia (14-0, 10 KOs) is relatively unknown but he has credentials, including a solid amateur career that culminated in an appearance in the 2016 Olympics for the Dominican Republic.
His potential problem is that he has never tangled with anyone like Colbert, at least outside sparring. Colbert (16-0, 6 KOs) has a combination of speed, skill and ring IQ that many believe will lead him to stardom.
The one knock on him has been that he doesn’t have one-punch knockout power. However, three of his six knockouts have come in his last six fights, an indication that he’s becoming a more dangerous puncher.
“In the beginning … I was punching and moving and trying not to get hit,” he said. “Now I’m sitting down, staying in the pocket, banging [people] out, doing what I do. I’m showing the world I can do it all, just in case they didn’t know.
“Am I getting better? For show. You have to write it that way, for show, not for sure.”
If things go well on Saturday, Colbert and his handlers will shift their attention to Gutierrez and then the biggest names at and near his weight.
Colbert was asked by Boxing Junkie to assess a list of five potential opponents and he gave his approval. The fighters presented to him were Gutierrez (so he can claim his first major belt), Isaac Cruz, Leo Santa Cruz, Gary Russell Jr. and Gervonta Davis.
If he can lure the majority of those fighters into the ring and beat them, he will have realized what he believes is his destiny.
“That sounds like a tremendous list, actually,” he said. “Those are great fights that can be made. Isaac Cruz, definitely. Gervonta Davis. I’ll definitely fight him but that’s down the line because that’s a superfight. Leo Santa Cruz. Great fight because he’s a multiple-time world champion.
“… Gary Russell. That’s a fight that I want. And Roger Gutierrez. That’s a fight that I need.”
Now all Colbert has to do is wait for the opportunities to present themselves and continue to win.
He has faith that his handlers – including manager Al Haymon – will get him the biggest names. He’s never had any doubts whatsoever about his ability to win fights regardless of opponents, which he believes is one key to his success.
And he has mastered one more thing over the past few years: patience. The opportunities will come.
“When I was a kid I had problems being patient,” he said. “But like I said, I have a tremendous team. They know what they’re doing. I know what I’m doing. … I can’t ask for too much at one time because God does things on his time.
“What’s meant for you will happen when it’s time for it to happen.”
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