1979 Pan American Games bronze medalist
Defeated Gilberto Román (Mexico) points
Defeated Jorge Hernández (Cuba) points
Lost to Pedro Nolasco (Dominican Republic) points
Coffee turned professional in 1980 and had great success. Fenech retained his title over Coffee via unanimous decision after the bout went the full 15 rounds. Coffee retired in 1994.
Coffee had an outstanding amateur career and won several national championships, Amateur record 205 fights 193 wins including: 1977 National Amateur Athletic Union Flyweight champion, decisioning Ronnie Clifford of Hickory Hills, Illinois, in the final. 1978 National North American Palladium Ltd Flyweight champion 1979 National North American Palladium Ltd Flyweight champion 1979 National Golden Gloves Flyweight champion 1980 National Golden Gloves Flyweight champion He won his first 26 bouts, leading up to a clash with Australian Jeff Fenech for the IBF bantamweight title in 1985 in Sydney, Australia.
