Troy: there are more big nights out there

Troy Coleman….vows to continue following loss. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

BRUISED but unbowed after defeat to Jimmy Sains, Troy Coleman vowed: “You’ll definitely see more of the Hawk.”

You have to admire the Burntwood middleweight’s warrior spirit. In an era in which too many boxers seek to enhance their records against inferior opposition, Coleman seeks out the best. He yearns to gamble.

At York Hall, Bethnal Green, on Friday, he again rolled the dice and this time failed. The trademark bravery wasn’t nearly enough.

Sains, now unbeaten in 11 – 10 of those wins coming inside distance, was simply too fresh, too strong and too powerful. You can add “too big” to the list: The 24-year-old Londoner looks colossal for the weight.

There was hope Sains’ record flattered to deceive, that Coleman could eventually out-bully the bully: that he could do what he did to Bradley Goldsmith last time out and survive the early storm. That hope was dashed within minutes.

Manager Errol Johnson correctly pulled Coleman out at the end of fourth after Troy had endured two rounds of heavy pressure.

Sains hit with a force that took its toll on Coleman’s features. His eyes were damaged – Troy told me his vision was impaired from the first, his nose bloody and an eardrum perforated.

Sains dragged him through a meat-grinder of malevolence.

“To an extent, I underestimated Jimmy,” 30-year-old Coleman said. “I thought he’d be a strong bull, coming forward all the time, but his movement was class. He showed he had a different level.

“He’s an evolving fighter, he’s getting better and better.

“My right eye and my ear (perforated in the second) obviously knocked me back. I wanted to fight on, but you have to listen to your corner and afterwards I was glad they made the call. It’s a bit dramatic to say I get to fight another day, but I could’ve taken unnecessary punishment and when the adrenaline levels came down I thought, ‘OK, they did the right thing’.

“I can’t really remember the fight. I felt I was going to come on like I always do, but there were things happening each round (injuries) that I had no control over.

“My eyes swelling up and my ear – I never had that in my other losses. Before I’ve come out of the ring feeling fine.

“I don’t fear no one. I’ll always give them respect, but I don’t give them the credit to beat me until they beat me. I still believe I can beat the good lads on a good night.”

Coleman, who lost for the fourth time in 19 bouts, will allow his injuries to heal, then continue to chase top titles.

“I can maybe make 154lbs (light-middle) because I’m making middleweight pretty easy. There are fights out there for me. I just want one more go at trying to get the British title, I still have people who believe in me. There were a lot of things happening behind the scenes that I can put right.

“I have my own goals. There are a few lads out there who are not as heavy-handed, I’ve just got to be in shape and get those opportunities. There are definitely lads out there I’ll beat, you’ll definitely see me in some more good fights.”