Troi travels to Oz for his toughest pro test
Troi Coleman…currently training in Uzbekistan
TROI Coleman, the Burntwood middle who moved to Thailand in search of ring glory, is certainly seeing the world – and living one hell of an adventure.
Today (Monday) the 28-year-old rang me from Uzbekistan, where Troi’s in four week camp in preparation for his biggest fight to date.
On November 22, in Newcastle, New South Wales, Troi faces Aussie puncher Isaac Hardman, who’s registered stoppages in 12 of his 14 victories. He’s lost two.
The contest is chief support to the Australian light-middleweight title clash between holder Dylan Briggs and Nikita Tszyu, youngest son of former outstanding world champ Kostya.
Troi – trained over here by Pete Hickenbottom – has certainly shunned life’s little luxuries as he prepares for the big test.
He’s leading a spartan existence in Uzbekistan.
Troi said: “My biggest fight to date, for sure. Again, going into the lion’s den against a guy ranked 21 in the world.
“Hence why I took myself over to Uzbekistan for four weeks training with my coach, who's an Uzbek native and speaks the most little English you could imagine.
“But luckily, boxing is a universal language and I believe in his methods more than anyone to get me in the right mindset and condition to beat Issac.
“I have to say big thanks to my sponsors who have backed me massively. Without them this trip wouldn't have been possible - them and, of course, my team at Tunal Academy.
“As always, I'm training well. The difference is the location. I'm on my own In Uzbekistan surrounded by Russian speaking natives. No tourists, no friends, just living in a simple flat on my own - no WiFi - and getting the necessary work in.
“I’ve got some great sparring with some dangerous middleweight pros who are punchers and some elite national amateur lads.
“The Uzbekistan fighters are a proud, strong nation who give their all in sparring, no matter what, so no favours will be given. I know from training with a couple In Thailand they are perfect prep for this kind of fight.”
Hardman has been loud and brash in the build-up. The boast have only sharpened Troi’s desire.
Troi said: “He's a tough, game lad as shown by his 85 per cent KO ratio. But he’s also tasted defeat twice and been stopped before, so he's no GGG, although you would think it by the way he speaks.
“He shared a picture I was sent a couple weeks ago captioned, ‘I'm going to smash this next bloke to pieces, no two ways about it, November 22 will be a demolition job’.
“Soon as I saw it, I took a screenshot and put it as my screensaver on my phone. It’s the first and last thing I see in the day and I honestly can't wait for this fight.
“I still feel like I'm proving myself and not getting the credit for what I have done, so this fight, for me, is an opportunity to show everyone that I really am coming and I’m the real deal.
“Issac is a basic fighter with good timing on his shots. He’s in your face all night, but he walks straight in all night - no head movement, nothing. He's an easier target to hit than me and I'm going to line him up all night.”
I’ve got a lot of respect for Coleman. He took an immense gamble by making Thailand his fight base following stoppage defeat to River Wilson-Bent for the Midlands title. It appears to be working.
His career has blossomed in the Far East. He’s had seven, won six and has claimed the WBA and WBC Asian Continental titles.
I still find it hard to comprehend a lad from just outside Cannock – my old stomping ground – rules the Asian boxing scene.
Not surprisingly, he’s unfazed by the prospect of boxing Down Under.
He added: “Yes, I'm on the road again, but I think being in Australia is going to feel like the closest I have been to home in six fights, with the language and people's mentality. So I really ain't bothered. I will be soaking it all up and making a good name for myself over there.”