Junior welterweight prospect Pier Olivier Cote has been called "electric" and "explosive" in the past. Tonight in a co-feature shot on Showtime Championship Boxing, he proved why.
Cote (18-0, 12 KO) took the fight to Jorge Luis Teron (25-3-1, 17 KO) in the first round, dominating the majority of the opening three minutes with red-hot offense. Landing vicious right and left hands repeatedly, rocking Teron back, the 27-year-old Cote was in complete control. A massive overhand right staggered Teron badly.
Then, at the end of the round, Cote's vulnerabilities showed: A counter right hand badly shook Cote, and he spent the round's final moments trying to gather himself. Lucky for him, Teron was already reeling from the rest of the round, and Cote got away with getting hurt.
The second round was something else. Cote came out with a 1-2 combo that floored Teron immediately. Teron bounced back up quickly, but looked glassy-eyed and on bad legs. Once they restarted the action, Cote bombed Teron with a monster left hook, ending the fight in short order.
This is a prospect to watch at 140 pounds. As some of the bigger names prepare to leave the division behind, Cote could be leading the next batch of exciting fighters in what has for the last few years been one of boxing's best divisions. The natural talent is there -- his hand speed is incredible, his power is terrific, and while he's got defensive vulnerabilities, the young man is all action.
Our live coverage of Bute vs Johnson continues here, with the main event still to come.
Off-Television
Steve Molitor improved to 34-2 (12 KO) with a disputed split decision win over Sebastien Gauthier (21-3, 13 KO). Scores were 96-94 twice for Molitor, and 96-94 once for Gauthier.
Other Results: Kevin Bizier KO-3 Christian Bladt; Rances Barthelemy TKO-2 Alejandro Barrera; Schiller Hyppolite TKO-1 Dale Golden.