Cole Young is back.
After capturing the Power Slap welterweight championship and extending his winning streak to three straight victories, Young returns at Power Slap 21 during International Fight Week to defend his title against former middleweight contender Brandon Rhodes.
While Young has spent months away from competition, the reigning champion believes he’s returning better, smarter, and hungrier than ever.
Life As Champion
It’s been several months since fans last saw Young earn a unanimous decision victory over Anthony Blackburn.
Since then, life has remained busy.
“It’s been great. Staying busy with work. Got the kids. Just loving life.”
Away from the Power Slap stage, Young has embraced family life while continuing to prepare for the next challenger.
Now that challenge has finally arrived.
Expecting The Wrong Brandon
When Power Slap first contacted Young about his next opponent, he admits there was some confusion.
Initially, he thought the promotion meant Brandon Bordeaux, who had openly discussed moving down to welterweight.
Instead, it was Brandon Rhodes.
“I had no idea that he was even thinking about coming down.”
Although surprised, Young understands Rhodes has already begun making the transition into the division.
Now, the champion welcomes the challenge.
Why The Welterweight Division Has Been Quiet
One topic Young didn’t shy away from was the inactivity surrounding the welterweight division.
He believes the issue isn’t a lack of talent.
It’s simply a lack of opportunities.
“They don’t have enough welterweight fights.”
Rather than waiting for title eliminators, Young believes contenders should be competing against each other more frequently to build momentum and storylines.
According to him, that activity would strengthen one of Power Slap’s deepest divisions.
Experience Creates Fight IQ
Young has become known for his calm demeanor under pressure.
He believes that’s one of his biggest advantages.
“It’s a mental game.”
Throughout his Power Slap career, Young admits many of his early mistakes came from defeating himself mentally rather than being beaten physically.
Now, experience has changed everything.
“I just gotta execute.”
By preparing thoroughly before every fight, Young believes he enters competition with complete confidence in his preparation.
Learning Through Every Fight
Young doesn’t believe Power Slap experience can be replicated in training.
No matter how much preparation goes into camp, nothing truly prepares an athlete for standing on the Power Slap stage.
“You have to learn the hard way during a fight.”
Every matchup has taught him something new.
Every mistake has become another lesson.
That’s why he believes experience continues to separate veterans from newcomers.
Trusting His Coaches
Although coaches like Robert Trujillo and Brandon Bordeaux will be in his corner on fight night, Young explains that much of the work has already been completed before stepping on stage.
During competition, their primary responsibility is identifying details he may not notice while fully locked into the moment.
“My game plan is my game plan coming into it.”
Their outside perspective simply helps him make small adjustments if necessary.
Breaking Down Brandon Rhodes
Rhodes presents a unique challenge.
Young points to Rhodes’ unusual upward swinging motion as something unlike most opponents he’s previously faced.
He has also noticed another detail.
“He’s got a slight flinch.”
Rather than focusing heavily on defense, Young’s preparation has centered around making subtle offensive adjustments depending on Rhodes’ reactions at the table.
It’s a small detail.
But at the highest level, small details often determine championship fights.
A New Challenge As The Shorter Fighter
For one of the first times in his Power Slap career, Young expects to enter the matchup as the shorter competitor.
While it’s a different look physically, he doesn’t expect it to dramatically change his approach.
His biggest advantage comes elsewhere.
Experience.
Having already gone five rounds in a championship fight, Young understands exactly what those later rounds demand.
“I’ve been there before.”
That experience gives him confidence should the fight extend into deep waters.
Why Striking First Matters More Than Ever
Since champions now earn the opening strike in title fights, Young believes the importance of going first will only continue growing.
As Power Slap athletes become more technically refined, he expects clean first strikes to become increasingly decisive.
“There’s definitely levels to slapping.”
Eventually, Young believes the combination of power, technique, and accuracy will make surviving opening strikes far more difficult than it is today.
In fact, he believes there are scenarios where Rhodes may never even get an opportunity to return fire.
“There’s possibility that Brandon doesn’t even get to slap me.”
Finding The Hunger Again
Perhaps the most revealing part of the interview centered around life after winning a championship.
Young openly admitted that rediscovering his motivation wasn’t automatic.
After achieving the ultimate goal, he had to remind himself why he began chasing the title in the first place.
“You gotta want it with everything you have.”
He understands why some champions struggle after reaching the top.
Comfort can become dangerous.
That’s why he made a conscious effort to reignite the same obsession that fueled his championship run.
“I could fight tomorrow.”
Still Something To Prove
Although he currently wears the championship belt, Young doesn’t believe he’s reached the top of the sport.
Power Slap continues evolving.
New contenders continue emerging.
And Young doesn’t believe he’s faced the very best competition yet.
“I don’t think I’ve faced my best opponents yet.”
Rather than becoming comfortable, he sees every title defense as another opportunity to prove he belongs there.
A Respectful Message To Brandon Rhodes
As the interview concluded, Young kept his message for Rhodes simple.
There was no trash talk.
No personal attacks.
Just confidence.
“Good luck, man. Let’s put on a show.”
Then came one final prediction.
“I’m sorry you trained all this time and you don’t even get to slap me.”
Cole Young Plans To Keep The Belt
Every champion eventually faces a new wave of challengers.
For Cole Young, Brandon Rhodes is simply the next name on that list.
Armed with experience, confidence, and a renewed hunger to remain champion, Young believes he’s entering the best stretch of his career.
If his preparation translates the way he expects, Power Slap 21 won’t mark the beginning of someone else’s title reign.
It’ll be another successful chapter in the legacy of the reigning welterweight champion.