Jonnie Rice: record, next fight and profile →
Rice, Coffie Fight Photos Gallery - NEWARK, N.J. – Heavyweight Jonnie Rice (14-6-1, 10 KOs) scored a technical knockout over previously unbeaten Michael Coffie (12-1, 9 KOs) in the main event of FOX PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday night from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Referee Eric Dali called a stop to the action at the 2:19 mark of the fifth round.
NEWARK, New Jersey – Jonnie Rice ruined Michael Coffie’s feel-good story Saturday night. The unheralded Rice, a late replacement for Gerald Washington, basically beat up Coffie for four-plus rounds and produced a huge upset in FOX’s main event at Prudential Center. Rice repeatedly hit Coffie with clean, mostly unanswered shots in the fifth round, which made referee Eric Dali step in and stop their scheduled 10-rounder at 2:19 of the fifth round.
Jonnie Rice wouldn’t call himself a better or tougher opponent than Gerald Washington. The huge heavyweight from Los Angeles sees himself as a “different” type of foe for Michael Coffie than the 39-year-old Washington. Rice replaced Washington on short notice because Washington tested positive for COVID-19.
Coffie, Rice Weights Photos Gallery - Super lightweight contender Karl Dargan will take on Ivan Delgado in an eight-round attraction, while unbeaten heavyweight Norman Neely faces Juan Torres in a six-round battle as part of FS1 PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes this Saturday, July 31 from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. (photos by Sean Michael Ham)
Ajagba, Rice Fight Photos Gallery - The knockout didn't come as expected, but Efe Ajagba's Top Rank debut ended with his hand raised. Ajagba (14-0, 11 KOs) notched a 10-round unanimous decision over Jonnie Rice (13-6-1, 9 KOs) in the co-feature, controlling the distance with his jab as he cruised to victory by scores of 99-91 2x and 98-92. (photos by Mikey Williams)
Efe Ajagba hoped to make more of a statement in his first fight under new management. Instead, the heavyweight prospect had to settle for winning tonight and looking good the next time. Ajagba remains perfect as a pro, claiming a ten-round decision over Jonnie Rice in their ESPN+ televised contest Saturday evening at The Bubble in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ajagba vs. Rice, Ramirez vs. Caraballo Weights Photos Gallery - Former two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza continues his quest for another world title against 2008 U.S. Olympian Javier “El Intocable” Molina in a 10-round junior welterweight main event Saturday, Sept. 19 from the MGM Grand Conference Center. (photos by Mikey Williams).
Efe Ajagba is officially set for his Top Rank debut. An opponent has been secured for the unbeaten rising heavyweight, as Ajagba will face Los Angeles’ Jonathan Rice in a 10-round clash on the September 19 show live from The Bubble in Las Vegas. The bout will come in supporting capacity to a 10-round junior welterweight headliner between former two-division titlist Jose Pedraza and Javier Molina.