Ulster Hall - Belfast's
home of Boxing
News
from the press conference 2nd April
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Professional Gary
Hamilton |
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Darren
Corbett has promised a "homecoming" victory to his legions
of loyal fans when he fights in Belfast's Ulster Hall this Saturday.
The Belfast light heavyweight is returning to Belfast with a new
promoter after a four year absence from his native town. The former
IBO Intercontinental champion lost to Bruce Scott in Belfast in
November 1998 but regained the title and was ready to challenge
for a world title before a cruel knee injury put him out of contention.
He is now edging his way back to full fitness with a fight against
Clint Johnson of Leeds. Corbett, who has been training for his fight
in Belfast, said in a Holiday Inn press conference that he was aiming
to be a world champion by Christmas and dismissed any talk of prefight
nerves. "I do not get nervous about any fights. The Ulster Hall
is my home and who would get nervous in their home?" he asked. It
is great to be back here as part of a such a good fight card. I
never lost interest in fighting, even when I had contract problems
and a show fell through. "This guy is no mug. He is a big guy but
that suits me down to the ground." Corbett said he only needed a
few fights before challenging for the WBC world title and claimed
that Tony Oakley, the current world champion, would pose no problems.
"I am feeling very confident. Anyone who does not feel confident
is wasting their time. I am hoping to get one or two fights under
my belt but at the minute everything is focused on Saturday," he
added. "Most light heavyweights who are world champions are over
30, so I am still young (30) and have plenty of time. I want to
take a world title and defend it before I retire at 35 or 36. "It
is great to be back in Belfast. I have been working very hard with
my trainer and Paul. We have what it takes to turn it around." Corbett's
manager, Kevin Dever, confirmed that his man was aiming for the
top and promised to walk away if he did not turn the fighter into
a world champion. I have no doubt in my mind that after a couple
of fights Darren will get even better. "This is an express road
to the world title with no exits. What happened before is in the
past," he said, referring to Corbett's past injury and contract
problems. "Darren was ranked 15th in the world when he hurt his
knee and we hope he will be back in the top fifteen after this fight
and eligible for a world title contest. Darren is moving into his
prime and I don't think any light heavyweight in the division could
beat him." Show promoter Paul McCausland has signed Corbett to a
multi-fight contract and said this signalled the return of major
professional boxing to Belfast. "This is my first professional show
and although I am sure I will lose money, the big picture is about
getting boxing back to Belfast and the Ulster Hall is Darren's home,"
he said. "We are relaunching the Northern Ireland title after 45
years and we are just pleased that the show will launch Darren on
his way to a world title. Kickboxer turned boxer Gary Hamilton and
Daffyd Carlin, both from Belfast, will compete for the lightweight
Northern Ireland Area title, the first time the prize has been contested
for 45 years. It is being viewed as a stepping stone to a professional
British title. Gary Noade will also begin a professional boxing
title at the age of 39, one of the oldest in the UK. British Boxing
Board of Control representative John Campbell was also at the meeting.
A Paul McCausland promotion..... |
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