At what weight? I think so far he has only fought at 130 and obviously Gamboa currently fights at 135. Time to call in the brains @CST80 and @IntentionalButt
Colbert is the A-side, so if he has no plans on moving up, they'll drain Gamboa down to 130. Which is not advisable and not healthy for Gamboa at this stage in his career, and if that's the case, Colbert should be ashamed of himself. But if he's moving up, then Gamboa at 135 is a damn good first opponent at a new weight.
I'm sure I've seen Colbert but can't for the life of me remember a thing about him...which suggests he isn't exactly a thrillride.
I was hoping he would do something special at 130 before he moves up. If he is going to 135 without doing anything first I feel let down as a fan, unless he needs to move up due to weight difficulties. But if 135 first opponent is Gamboa, then that's all good. Chris Colbert looks cool AF in the ring and he is only 24 so I am expecting a good ass career from him.
The Cyclone is old, punching above his weight, and thoroughly beaten up, with most of his prime speed and reflexes shot...but he's still game for anyone but a blue chipper.
He has only had a couple of fights with people rated inside the top 50 rated fighters. However, he does look slick with skill and has fast combinations, no?
It's almost unfair for any top fighter to be taking him on right now, similar (but not as far as) Manny Pac-Man. Both have paid their dues and should have no pressure on them to take the tough fights anymore. Also, they deserve easy payday's.
Just read back through my RBR thread for J-Rock vs. Bananaman (when Colbert fought Jezreel Corrales) ...and yeah, memory refreshed - really wasn't impressed. You posted on the night a more forgiving takeaway from his performance, and @CST80 gave off a vibe somewhere in the middle...not blown away but did have CC defeating a decent opponent comfortably enough (by a few rounds).
I was actually thinking about that performance, evidently while you were writing this, and no, I wasn't blown away, nor was a blown away by his performance against Arboleda, however... his chin certainly did pass the test. So I don't think he's some next level breakout star, or unbeatable, but he's most likely going to be too much for a drained Gamboa.
Chris Colbert, much like Tim Zoo, has a name so ferocious that he doesn't even need a nickname to scare his opponent. When mothers try to scare their baby chilluns at night...they warn them that Chris Colbert and Tim Zoo gon' come n' get 'em.
Am I the only one who thinks (with regret) that Gamboa is past due for retirement? The Guantanamo Cyclone would have been a dangerous test for Haney, that guy's not around anymore. He has no faith in the Achilles tendon holding so he can't fight his style and will just be soaking up punishment.