PHILADELPHIA — “5-and-0” is what the fans of Long Branch boxer Jasai Kirkpatrick chanted after the final bell rung on Friday night to point out the unbeaten fighter's new record.
The victory by unanimous decision was no surprise for anyone at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia. Even if there were doubters early on, a knockdown at the end of the final round of the scheduled four-round fight sealed it for the 24-year-old.
Jasai Kirkpatrick was on top of his game, landing jabs, counters, and straight rights against his opponent Nick Monty (1-7). Kirkpatrick's overhand right was a key factor in the fight, and his coach Keith Colone kept reminding him to throw it throughout the night.
Kirkpatrick's opponent, Nick Monty, had a tough night, with his nose bleeding going into the second round. The referee had to check his corner, and later in the fight, the doctor was called to check Monty's nose, but he was able to continue.
The clear difference in the fight was the nasty body shots Kirkpatrick began to land in the second round. Monty's high-guard was ineffective, forcing him to throw less punches as the fight continued.
Kirkpatrick wanted a knockout win, but he was content with the unanimous decision victory. "I wanted to get him out of there bad as hell," Kirkpatrick said with a laugh. "But (he's a) tough opponent. It was good. It was minor things I could've picked up on that I'm going to perfect next time."
Kirkpatrick's fanbase was out in full force, with shirts with the initials "Jk" flooding his ring walk and corner. The Jersey Shore native's family and friends were in attendance, cheering him on throughout the fight.
Kirkpatrick's roots in New Jersey are important to him. "Representing the entire state of New Jersey means everything to me," he said. Kirkpatrick got into boxing as a kid when he used to play fight with his grandmother, who raised him to be "rough."
Kirkpatrick's coach, Keith Colone, was pleased with his fighter's performance. "This is one of his best performances right now," Colone said. "The kid was tough, came to fight, it's good he got the rounds in."
Kirkpatrick's next goal is to be more active and to have at least an 8-0 record by the end of the year. He said his style doesn't resemble anyone but his own, and he's been able to adapt quickly to his opponents' strategies.
As Kirkpatrick continues to pursue his boxing career, he'll have to balance it with his day job working in a warehouse. "His work ethic is excellent," Colone said. "He goes to work five o'clock in the morning, and then after work, he's an hour and 20 minutes away, comes back to the gym, works out for three hours, go back home and do it all over again. Comes back home 10:30-11 o'clock every night."
Kirkpatrick's end goal is based on his family, and he's committed to achieving it. With his hard work and dedication, it's clear that he's on the right path.
Source: Yahoo Sports