Michael Coffie continues unlikely journey against Jonathan Rice

Michael Coffie was geared up to make a statement.

The U.S. Marine-turned-heavyweight boxer was scheduled to face former title challenger Gerald Washington on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Fox. Coffie wanted to show what he could do compared to Washington’s big-name opponents.

Then came the news just two days ago: Washington tested positive for COVID-19 and can’t fight. Instead, Coffie will face Jonathan Rice, who was on standby for just such a scenario.

Washington was a bigger name but Rice might be as big of a challenge for Coffie.

“After my initial reaction to hearing about Gerald getting sick, I just had to change the focus to Rice,” said Coffie, who is coming off a brutal third-round knockout of Darmani Rock in January. “I watched some tape and we made some minor tweaks to what we’re doing.

“We’re ready to go now and Saturday should be a good night.”

Washington has been stopped in four of his past six fights, all by notable heavyweights. That includes then-titleholder Deontay Wilder, who knocked out Washington in five rounds in 2017.

Rice, who at 6-foot-5 is the same height as Coffie, has lost his last two bouts but he took contender Efe Ajagba the distance in his most-recent outing, last September.

Coffie (12-0, 9 KOs) is prepared for a tough guy.

“When I look at Jonnie Rice, I think he might be more durable than Gerald Washington,” Coffie said. “To me, that just makes this a better fight. He’s big and tall, but so am I. He’s got some good experience with some known prospects and he’s gone the distance.

“I think it makes for a better fight for the fans. That’s what I want to give them.”

Coffie, a 35-year-old from Brooklyn, turned pro at 31 and has had a total of 30-plus fights, amateur and professional combined. The fact he is already ranked by the WBA and fighting in the main event on national TV is remarkable.

Of course, the odds are stacked against him but he believes he can go all the way in spite of his unusually late start.

“I think there are definitely big names around the corner for me, sooner rather than later, too,” he said. “What’s worked out in my favor is the learning curve of this sport. I’ve been able to pick up intricate parts of the sport quickly.

“I already had mental toughness coming into the sport. I’ve just been building it in the gym and then displaying it in the ring. It’s about building up brick by brick.”

The construction project continues in New Jersey.