Fights fans might have a hard time recognizing Shelito Vincent when she enters the ring for her fifth professional bout next week at Twin River Casino.
Thanks to the work of her new strength and conditioning coach, Gerdy Abelard, Vincent will unveil a leaner, more muscular, physique Thursday, October 18th, 2012 when she faces Ivana Coleman in a rematch of their bout in July, and if anyone happens to forget who’s standing in the opposite corner, the roar of the crowd should provide a friendly reminder.
“I don’t think there’s anyone in New London who doesn’t have a ticket yet,” said Vincent (4-0), who was raised in Connecticut and now fights out of Providence, R.I. “Given the fact I’ve got all these people coming here to watch me fight, it’s going to be hard to beat me with all my family and friends in attendance.”
Coleman (0-1), who lost to Vincent by unanimous decision in July, will face an uphill battle in next week’s rematch, especially with Vincent beginning to peak both physically and mentally. She’s reached a comfort level with her new trainer, Peter Manfredo Sr., and has been pushing her body to the limit during camp while maintaining proper nutrition under the guidance of her strength and conditioning coach.
“I feel amazing,” Vincent said. “Everything is on point in this camp. Gerdy has been telling me what to eat, when to eat – just keeping my diet up to par. He’s totally transformed me. I can’t even describe it. You’ll just have to wait and see.
“I’m super fast and super strong; the other day in sparring I landed a body shot and the girl almost hit the floor. I’ve never felt this good or this ready.”
Vincent promises the rematch will be “easier” than the first fight since she’s in the best shape of her life, and perhaps she’ll get that elusive first knockout after studying what she did wrong the first time she faced Coleman.
“I dropped my hands a little bit and played around too much,” Vincent said. “I waited too much. The uppercut was there all night. She was just bigger than me, but this time I’ll be more her more size. I’m going to stay inside more and move less.
“I really think I might get the stoppage,” she continued. “Not to take anything away from her – she’s got a strong right hand – but I already know what she’s got. I’m going to be all over her this time.”
