Jonathan Rice dominates, stops Michael Coffie in Round 5

Jonathan Rice took full advantage of his opportunity on Saturday night in Newark, N.J.

The late replacement as Michael Coffie’s opponent outboxed, outworked and finally knocked out the previously unbeaten Coffie in the fifth round of a scheduled 10-round heavyweight fight.

Rice, who replaced Gerald Washington, was an afterthought going into the fight. The South Carolinian had lost his previous two fights, including a wide decision against heavyweight contender Efe Ajagba last September.

And while Coffie was a latecomer to boxing – he turned pro at 31 – he was coming off a string of dominating performances, which is why he was favored to win on Saturday.

Rice didn’t follow the script. Instead, he played the part of a sharpshooter, firing off quick, hard shots at the flatfooted Coffie at a high rate from the opening bell.

Coffie, a powerful puncher, absorbed Rice’s blows for a while and threw some big punches of his own. However, he couldn’t begin to keep pace with Rice.

By Round 5, Coffie had begun to break down. About halfway through the round Rice unleashed a vicious flurry of shots that found the mark and hurt Coffie, who suddenly had difficulty defending himself.

At that point, referee Eric Dali stepped in to save Coffie (12-1, 9 KOs) from further punishment. The official time of the stoppage was 2:19 of the fifth round.

Rice (14-6-1, 10 KOs) has quite a way to go before he can be considered a title challenger but he took a big step on Saturday.

“I wasn’t a late replacement,” said Rice, 34. “I was waiting for an opportunity. We replaced someone, but we weren’t late. We were right on time. I was training every day. I was training with Michael Hunter. I did 20 rounds, 10 and 10 last Friday before I got the call. So when I got the call, I was ready. …

“I want it all. I want what every boxer wants. I want to be world champion. I understand that my record doesn’t say that, but I want the world to watch my progress. I’m not in the right mind to be calling people out. I’m just going to be ready for the opportunity and when it comes I’m going to answer the call.

“I’m going to get as much money for it as I can. And you know one thing, I’m going to put on a show.”

Rice stepped in as Coffie’s opponent after Washington tested positive for COVID-19.