BoxRec

Belfast boxer Darren Corbett has been forced to pull out of his WBU light-heavyweight title challenge against Portsmouth fighter Tony Oakey because of injury.

Corbett was scheduled to fight Oakey in Portsmouth on 11 October but the fight is now off after the Northern Ireland man cracked a rib in training.

Corbett's spokesman Paul McCausland said the fighter was "gutted" by the injury but that he was hopeful of re-scheduling the contest within the next six months.

"He sparred with his brother (Eamonn) on Monday and Tuesday and felt a slight twinge but the problem really became apparent when he had a four-round workout with Frenchman Valrey Odin on Wednesday," said McCausland.

"Odin actually hurt his shoulder in the sparring as well and they both went to the hospital together to get checked.

"It's hugely disappointing and we have informed Oakey's representative Frank Maloney who is now trying to get another opponent for the 11 October bill.

"We're pretty confident that Darren will be Oakey's next opponent after that contest although it could be the new year because Darren has been told that he can't train for the next eight weeks".

The Belfast fighter returned to the ring after a two-year absence in April by stopping Clint Johnson of Leeds in four rounds at the Ulster Hall.

Corbett previously held the Commonwealth cruiserweight title.

Great.

But that's boxing for ya. Wonder who the replacement will be, although I don't suppose it matters all that much to the Pompey crew.

Personally, I don't think Corbett ever really fancied the job, and I doubt Sports Network will allow themselves to be messed around by the Irishman again. Corbett split with his manager in the build-up to this, then only signed the contract for the fight two weeks ago and now has cried off.
No, Oakey-Corbett will never happen.

bennie beat allegedly.tv to it,

perhaps corbett wanted to watch the footie instead

the thing that will always go against oakey is his punching power and i cant see oakey doing much above his current fighting level and he will just hang onto his wbu belt for as long as possible,

bennie wrote:Personally, I don't think Corbett ever really fancied the job, and I doubt Sports Network will allow themselves to be messed around by the Irishman again. Corbett split with his manager in the build-up to this, then only signed the contract for the fight two weeks ago and now has cried off.
No, Oakey-Corbett will never happen.

Yes, I agree - it was never a surprise really given all the problem Corbett appeared to have to write his name on the contract (did he ever sign?).

Its a shame, this one would have been great and I think certainly an opportunity Corbett shouldn't have missed.