Brian Ceballo is searching for win number five this weekend in Las Vegas
By Chris Robinson
This weekend, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., the boxing world will see one of the year’s biggest fights when WBA/WBC middleweight champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and former two-division champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez face off in a highly-anticipated rematch.
The bad blood has been brewing between the camps of Alvarez and Golovkin for several months now and there is fair enough reason why this is one of the sport’s biggest events in 2018.
But, like any big show, there are several story lines taking place on the Golovkin-Alvarez undercard that are worth notice.
Including the fifth professional fight of welterweight prospect Brian Ceballo.
This past week, Ceballo’s trainer, former fighter Colin Morgan, reached out to Hustle Boss and informed us of the news and a few days later the three of us linked up for an interview.
Ceballo (4-0, 2 KO’s) and Morgan first spoke inside of Trinity Boxing in New York and the 24-year old prospect recalled their first encounter.
“Basically I came to the gym and I said ‘You either train me or get out of this gym’,” Ceballo jokingly said, opening up our conversation.
At the time Ceballo as actually in search of a new trainer and had Morgan in mind.
“But Colin was at the top of my list, so I came down to Trinity and talked to him with my manager and that was it,” Ceballo said. “The relationship has been solid so far.”
Morgan is a former fighter-turned-trainer who is known best for his work with former WBC cruiserweight champion Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite.
“Brian was one of the more decorated amateurs,” Morgan stated. “But his trainer just trained amateurs, he never had a professional fighter. At age 23 or 24, he knew time was running out and he didn’t want to just wait and try the Olympics.”
Ceballo was a decorated amateur, winning 17 national championships by his estimation, and he knew it was time to make a professional run as opposed to eyeing the 2020 Olympics.
To be on a stage like the Golovkin vs. Alvarez II undercard in Las Vegas is something he doesn’t take lightly.
“I’m super-honored for the opportunity,” Ceballo said. “I’m happy. I feel like we should be on this stage showcasing our skills. We’re going to get our opportunity, but for this big stage, it’s good for us to showcase our skills, so people see what we’re made of.”
This will be Ceballo’s second fight with Morgan and already they have learned much from one another as teacher and student.
“Colin is a smart guy, inside and outside of boxing,” Ceballo stated. “That’s what I’ve always looked at in a person. It shows a lot of character. In order for someone to really click, you have to appreciate everything that they have. Colin has taught me a lot of great things about boxing, but in life too.”
For Morgan, Ceballo is just the kind of talent he appreciates.
“What you look for as a trainer, you’re looking for that younger person who comes into your gym and you see that they have the potential and everything put together,” Morgan stated. “Not just good speed or good discipline. You want the whole package and Brian is one of those kids.
“He has over 200 amateur fights and you would think he’s bent into one way of fighting, because he’s been doing it all these years, but from the first time we worked, it’s easy for him to adapt and I think you can’t ask for anything more as a trainer,” Morgan added.
Stay tuned for updates from Ceballo’s fight in Las Vegas.
Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com