Can any1 give me a Tim Coleman/Patrick Lopez breakdown?

Tim Coleman – First got to see the Baltimore native box on Showtime against unbeaten prospect James De La Rosa (going against his strengths by going toe-to-toe to impress the TV audience) and liked what I saw in a loss. Subsequently, Coleman took the scalp of Mike Arnaoutis in a close scrap, where he would not relent in a back-and-forth volume-punching war. Showed his underdog attitude and work ethic, never relenting in the face of constant pressure and outthinking a smart foe who had challenged for a title. Unfortunately, that bout was ten months ago and Coleman has not been in the ring since then and lost any momentum that victory could have brought. Was a top-notch amateur, starting at age 12 and competing in over 200 fights, but made his reputation in boxing circles as a top sparring mate to stars like Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Paul Williams, Zab Judah, and Alfredo Angulo. Coleman is not intimidated by anyone in the ring and at age 26, is starting to exit the training rings and emerge as a force of his own. A smart boxer, Coleman does not get caught out of position or on the wrong foot despite coming forward much of the time. Is a compact figure but packs almost no power, having only stopped four of 19 opponents. When Coleman lands, they are zipping punches that sting but does not force foes into a retreat or into a defensive posture for long periods. Describes himself as, "Fast, flashy, I’m nice looking, and I know I’m the type of fighter that people like to watch." His persona is equally brash. "A lot of people say I have a big mouth and they’re right. I’m not quiet-spoken. I’m not humble, and I don’t want to be my opponent’s friend. I feel like I’m a marketable fighter. I am what boxing needs.” In that sense, Coleman has picked the right fighter to model himself after in Aaron Pryor, trying to similarly use his speed, angles, and consistent pressure to win.


Patrick Lopez – As a whole, I have been disappointed by the Venezuelan standout’s professional career. Given Lopez’ amateur credentials, I expected him to graduate from prospect to contender in quick succession without the setbacks he has done well to overcome. The 5’8" southpaw represented his country in two Olympic Games, never making the medal rounds, and was a top-notch competitor fighting in nearly every international tourney (beat Lamont Peterson at the Pan-Am games). Because of that long amateur career, Lopez did not turn pro until age 27 and now the 32-year-old is working overtime to make an impact in the paid ranks. His first struggle with the pro style surfaced against former world title challenger Fernando Angulo, who wore Lopez down and smothered him with an inside game, winning a ten-round decision. Lopez’ other loss was to a similar volume puncher in Josesito Lopez, who scored a late knockdown to earn a split decision victory. Lopez should be a smooth operator, using his elegant movement and footwork to establish and maintain distance. Instead, Lopez is in too much of a hurry, turning himself into a volume puncher where finesse would do. I have to admit that pressure game worked in his last fight two months ago, where Lopez destroyed a talented but inexperienced Prenice Brewer. Lopez has been in against an acceptable level of opposition but has not stepped in with a contender since 2007. Has the body to pick opponents apart from the outside but was drawn into the trenches by his two best opponents. A lot of that is because Lopez smothers his offense by trying to lean on and muscle foes, where a jab followed by smart punch would be to his advantage. On defense, his speed and reflexes are dulling and, unlike the amateur game, opponents are not separated quickly so Lopez can begin his work from the outside all over again. He has shown the ability to box from the outside but never with consistency against top-level opponents. Averages four fights a year but if a title shot is to be anywhere in his future (the WBA would seem a certainty since the organization is based in his homeland), he needs to take a big-name scalp quickly.

coleman will win this