Khalil Coe delivered a masterful performance in Guadalajara, Mexico, last night, decisively avenging his prior defeat to Manuel Gallegos. In their initial encounter last November, Gallegos had stopped Coe in the ninth round after dropping the New Jersey fighter multiple times, claiming the WBC USA 175-pound title in the process.
Coe completely erased the memory of that damaging first fight, aggressively pushing Gallegos back for five rounds. He inflicted significant damage, opening a severe cut on Gallegos`s nose and causing notable swelling around his eyes.
Ultimately, Manuel Gallegos`s corner, specifically the Montiel brothers, decided their fighter had taken enough punishment and withdrew him from the bout before the start of the sixth round. Referee Pablo Diaz Cruz formally accepted their decision.
Leading up to this rematch, there had been considerable discussion and intrigue surrounding Coe`s claims of medical issues hindering him in the first fight. Questions arose whether these were genuine health concerns or simply excuses for a lackluster performance.
The rematch provided a definitive answer: Coe had clearly overtrained to the point of illness solely to fulfill his obligations for the first fight. He had promised the next time would be different, and the 28-year-old proved himself absolutely correct.
This return bout, fought on Gallegos`s home turf, served as Coe`s opportunity for revenge and redemption. Early in the first round, Coe`s sharp left jab sliced open a cut across Gallegos`s nose. This piercing jab quickly evolved into a powerful weapon, becoming the defining factor of the entire contest. The tall Mexican fighter seemed unable to avoid it, despite his best efforts, while Coe visibly grew in confidence with each passing round.
Improving his professional record to 10-1-1 with 8 knockouts, Coe skillfully used his effective left jab as a rangefinder, combined with intelligent head and body movement, to keep Gallegos (whose record now stands at 21-3-1 with 18 KOs) consistently off balance. Crucially, Coe`s powerful punches forced the typically aggressive, forward-pressing Gallegos onto the defensive and onto the back foot. Once Gallegos was compelled to retreat, the outcome of the fight felt virtually decided.
In post-fight comments, Coe again referenced the physical and internal issues that had negatively impacted his performance in their initial meeting. He concluded by issuing a warning to potential light-heavyweight opponents, suggesting they should be cautious about mentioning his name. Following such a dominant performance, there is little doubt he is serious about his ambitions.
