Ellis Corrie has suffered his first pro defeat, but top marks to the Darlington boxer for taking a late call-up in South Wales.
The 20-year-old was edged out by Welsh prospect Maredudd Thomas in the battle of the two unbeaten light-welterweights at Ebbw Vale.
It proved one of the fights of the show, with the pair so competitive for the full four rounds, with referee, Martin Williams, scoring it 39-38 for the 21-year-old, from Barry.
It could have gone either way with the official marking it two rounds to one for the former Wales amateur international with one round shared,
Thomas, coached by ex-pro star Gary Lockett, who now trains the Leather twins, Josh and Kalam, made the better start, but Corrie, working well inside, enjoyed his moments in the middle two rounds.
It was all on the last, with Thomas getting through with his jab in another close session.
Praise but go to both boxers for what was described as a “tense, tactical fight” and “quality contest” by @BoxingWales.
Credit to Corrie (pictured above in Dunston in February) and coach Pete Shepperson for taking an away assignment against an unbeaten home boxer.
Shepperson said: “My thoughts, along with many Welsh fans who have approached us, and Maredudd’s trainer Gary Locket, was that at the very least it was draw.
“If anyone won it was Ellis, 39-38 decisions will always go to home town boxer so them what know, know.
“Very proud of Ellis for going on the road and not just taking easy fights to pad his record, he knows himself that on neutral ground or at home he would have won all day.”
Corrie will be on home ground next time out, on May 27, when his manager, Steve Wraith promotes his fourth show of 2018, his third in the North-East, at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington.
For full report on the Thomas-Corrie fight, read it here on Boxing Wales.
Words: Roy Kelly
