Does anyone know who Darren Corbett is fighting?
Posted: 16 Apr 2004, 11:14
BELFAST'S big-hitting Darren Corbett makes only his second appearance since 2001 on the Belfast undercard tomorrow night at the legendary King's Hall.
The 31-year-old local man hasn't fought since last April when he defeated Clint Johnson in four frantic rounds at the nearby Ulster Hall after 17 months out due to a knee injury. A rib injury only days before a scheduled WBU light-heavyweight title challenge to Tony Oakey last October led to Southampton's Matthew Barney stepping in for him - and Barney shocked the previously unbeaten Oakey on a split decision (majority under WBU rules) in the champion's own hometown of Portsmouth.
Oakey subsequently tested positive for cocaine.
A disillusioned Corbett, who had split with American manager Kevin Dever just prior to pulling out, was all set to announce his retirement till a chance meeting with former manager Barry Hearn at Brian Magee's last IBO title defence at the King's Hall in November, led to a fight-by-fight deal between the two.
"It feels like my career has just started all over again," said an ecstatic Corbett, who has scored 16 quick wins in his record of 26-3-1.
"Now is the time to put my career back on track and finish it with a 'world' title around my waist."
He's also thrilled to be back at the famed King's Hall, where he last boxed in 1995 (a points win over Chris Eubank's cousin, Bobbie Jo Edwards).
"It has a great atmosphere and it suits me down to the ground. The real Darren Corbett is going to come out in this fight.
"It's a pity I left Matchroom in the first place but Barry Hearn won't regret having me back."
Corbett has always been a big draw in Belfast where he scored his biggest wins (to date) over the likes of Noel Magee, Ray Kane, Chris Okoh and Rob Norton, and collected Irish and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles along the way. He's a colourful, larger than life character, whose victory celebrations included crawling around the ring on his knees and who actually turned pro in the heavyweight division.
Promoter Barry Hearn used to quip his man could make middleweight if he really wanted to.
Humour aside, Corbett possesses a genuinely powerful left hook and was once mighty close to genuine 'world' cruiserweight title shot until he ran into Hackney's Bruce Scott and was stopped in the 10th round of a bruising affair for British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles in 1998. That defeat took a lot out of Corbett, and a fight later, he was shocked by unheralded Frenchman Stephane Allouane in nine rounds at Manchester.
A move down to light-heavy followed.
Matchroom's John Wischusen said of tomorrow: "Darren will have a good test this time and then we will be looking to get him in for a title shot with Matthew Barney.
"The Barney fight could happen later this year."
The 31-year-old local man hasn't fought since last April when he defeated Clint Johnson in four frantic rounds at the nearby Ulster Hall after 17 months out due to a knee injury. A rib injury only days before a scheduled WBU light-heavyweight title challenge to Tony Oakey last October led to Southampton's Matthew Barney stepping in for him - and Barney shocked the previously unbeaten Oakey on a split decision (majority under WBU rules) in the champion's own hometown of Portsmouth.
Oakey subsequently tested positive for cocaine.
A disillusioned Corbett, who had split with American manager Kevin Dever just prior to pulling out, was all set to announce his retirement till a chance meeting with former manager Barry Hearn at Brian Magee's last IBO title defence at the King's Hall in November, led to a fight-by-fight deal between the two.
"It feels like my career has just started all over again," said an ecstatic Corbett, who has scored 16 quick wins in his record of 26-3-1.
"Now is the time to put my career back on track and finish it with a 'world' title around my waist."
He's also thrilled to be back at the famed King's Hall, where he last boxed in 1995 (a points win over Chris Eubank's cousin, Bobbie Jo Edwards).
"It has a great atmosphere and it suits me down to the ground. The real Darren Corbett is going to come out in this fight.
"It's a pity I left Matchroom in the first place but Barry Hearn won't regret having me back."
Corbett has always been a big draw in Belfast where he scored his biggest wins (to date) over the likes of Noel Magee, Ray Kane, Chris Okoh and Rob Norton, and collected Irish and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles along the way. He's a colourful, larger than life character, whose victory celebrations included crawling around the ring on his knees and who actually turned pro in the heavyweight division.
Promoter Barry Hearn used to quip his man could make middleweight if he really wanted to.
Humour aside, Corbett possesses a genuinely powerful left hook and was once mighty close to genuine 'world' cruiserweight title shot until he ran into Hackney's Bruce Scott and was stopped in the 10th round of a bruising affair for British and Commonwealth cruiserweight titles in 1998. That defeat took a lot out of Corbett, and a fight later, he was shocked by unheralded Frenchman Stephane Allouane in nine rounds at Manchester.
A move down to light-heavy followed.
Matchroom's John Wischusen said of tomorrow: "Darren will have a good test this time and then we will be looking to get him in for a title shot with Matthew Barney.
"The Barney fight could happen later this year."