Omar Salcido Gets 9 Page Stoppage Upset With Defeat Chris Colbert in ProBox TV Headliner
Omar Salcido was always the underdog but his resume left the door open as to whether he could make the move in the competition.
An emphatic answer was given by a 24-year-old man from Hermosillo, Mexico.
Chris Colbert was knocked out in the ninth round of what was supposed to be a comeback fight against Salcido. A variety of power shots were enough in Colbert’s corner to call for a stoppage. Referee Michael DeJesus honored that request at 2:01 of the ninth round Wednesday evening from the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida.
The ProBox TV main event came at the heaviest weight of Colbert’s career, who fought for the third straight time at lightweight. He weighed 136.8 pounds on Tuesday’s scale, two pounds heavier than his two 2023 fights against Jose Valenzuela.
Brooklyn’s Colbert won his first fight but was knocked out in the sixth round of their rematch last November. Fittingly, Salcido entered the ring armed with head coach Jose Benavidez Sr., Valenzuela’s former trainer.
Early action was competitive but the tone was set for things to come. Colbert boxed well and landed his right hand range. Salcido applied relentless pressure and succeeded with a lashing left hook to the body.
The momentum changed forever for Salcido during the fight. Colbert lacked the self-effacement to earn Salcido’s respect and—at this stage of his career—the skill set to block him.
Salcido kept forcing Colbert against the ropes and straightening his body. He would return with his right hands up without showing a glance at those who entered.
Colbert was given a stern warning by his corner, led by Aureliano Sosa, after the eighth round. The clear order was to change things or they would pull the plug.
That promise was honored.
Salcido hurt Colbert several times and was on his way to a stoppage after a four-punch combination. Colbert was thrown into the ropes, where he again pulled two shots. Salcido came in to close the show, only for Colbert’s corner to wave the towel to surrender.
Colbert (17-3, 6 knockouts) has now lost two straight and three of his last four.
At his best, Colbert won and defended the second version of the WBA junior lightweight title. He was promoted to the full title roster following the phasing out of Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis (30-0, 28 KOs). However, the glory was short-lived; lost a decision on Feb. 2022 rescheduled for Hector Luis Garcia who was undefeated in Las Vegas.
His only win since then was a ten-round decision over Valenzuela last March 25, in Vegas. With the knockout loss, there are plenty of questions about what’s next for the 28-year-old.
Meanwhile, Salcido’s career is soaring.
The win was his second in a row as he improved to 20-1 (14 KOs). Salcido’s lone loss came in his US debut at a ProBox show. He was defeated by Jose Nuñez (17-0-2, 7 KOs) in their fight for undefeated prospects last October 4 in Plant City, Florida.
Salcido rebounded with an eight-round submission victory over Luis Coria on a Dec. 1 of Red Owl Boxing in Houston, Texas. He had to wait ten months to get his next payday, but patience really paid off in this instance.
LOW RESULTS
Tsendbaatar Erdenbat (11-0, 5 KOs) outpointed Dominican Republic’s Frency Fortunato (15-2, 11 KOs) over ten rounds in the junior lightweight division. The results were 100-90, 98-92 and 98-92 for Erdenbat, who twice came out of the Olympic quarterfinals in Mongolia.
Najee Lopez (12-0, 9 KOs) made quick work of replacing Ismael Ocles (15-17-2, 3 KOs). A bad shot of the liver forced a delay in the reaction when Ocles of Ecuador did not recover. The light heavyweight belt was stopped at 2:01 of the third round.
Atlanta native Lopez made his pro debut on the ProBox circuit and has been a fixture in the series.
Opening the four-fight schedule, Los Angeles’ David Navarro (6-1, 3 KOs) outpointed Cincinnati’s Mykell Gamble (7-1, 4 KOs) over eight rounds. The scores were 78-73, 78-73 and 77-74 for Navarro, who has won five in a row.
