Chris Colbert has been a name that American fans have been routing for in recent years although despite his relatively young age. However, there are now many who feel that the former WBA interim super-featherweight champion will never get his hands on a world title, after last night’s surprise defeat.
‘Prime Time’ starred in the 2017 documentary named ‘CounterPunch’ alongside Peter Quillan and Cam F. Awesome, tracking the development of three of the United States’ top prospects, although it was Colbert who showed the most potential.
By 2021, Colbert had built up a record of 16-0 and was the reigning WBA interim super-featherweight champion in hot pursuit of the now self-proclaimed ‘face of boxing’ Gervonta Davis – who held the full WBA world title at 130lbs at the time.
Colbert had scored wins over two former world champions in Jezreel Corrales and Tugstsogt Nyambayar and the possibility of him being able to hand ‘Tank’ a first career defeat was one that was not being disregarded.
Yet, Colbert would then lose his undefeated record to Hector Luis Garcia and move up to the lightweight division where he registered an impressive but controversial win over current WBA super-lightweight champion Jose Valenzuela on his debut at the weight.
In their rematch, ‘Rayo’ was far less forgiving and didn’t allow the judges to intervene this time around – knocking Colbert out with a late knockout of the year contender last December.
Jose 'El Rayo' Valenzuela is coming up on his first world title shot as he attempts to take out WBA 140lb champion, Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz.
Here he is avenging his controversial defeat to Chris Colbert with one of the best knockouts of the decade so far.
pic.twitter.com/cbxNEyYgh1— ᴋᴀʏᴏ ✘ (@KOJournals) August 2, 2024
Last night, Colbert attempted to bounce back from the devastating stoppage but Omar Salcido was able to capitalise and the damaged goods left behind by Valenzuela and dominate the bout, until Colbert’s corner opted to throw in the towel in the ninth round.
?SALCIDO STOPS COLBERT!
Omar Salcido beats up Chris Colbert for almost the entirety of the fight, before the Colbert corner stops the fight a minute into Round 9 in Plant City, Florida
Salcido was a 2/1 (+200) underdog! pic.twitter.com/OpYJgklsce
— Tokkerū (@ATokkers5) October 17, 2024
Salcido’s victory marks a third defeat in four outings for Colbert, with the win that separates his shortcomings being an eyebrow-raising one.
At 28-years-old, Colbert still has time on his side but he will need to show vast improvements in his next performance if he is to ever fulfil the promise that he showed in the early days of his professional career and bring a world title back to Brooklyn.
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