Defending champion Ellis Corrie says he will not fazed by the occasion or his challenger when he makes the maiden defence of his Northern Area belt.
The Darlington boxer is up against undefeated Spennymoor star Chad Ellis in a belting derby at the Newcastle Eagles Community Arena on Saturday night.
It looks a tricky one to call, on the face of it, it’s not unlike the match back in December when Corrie met Redcar’s Tom Hill who had won all eight of his bouts going into their meeting for the vacant welterweight crown.
MTK fighter Chad Ellis has a strong amateur background and has nine straight wins in the pro ranks.
In comparison, Ellis Corrie has boxed only six times, winning four and drawing one.
But the 22-year-old told punch-lines that it would be folly for anyone to write him off because of a perceived inexperience or lack of big-night exposure.
“I’m confident,” said the Peter Shepperson-trained star, pictured during his fourth-round stoppage of Hill.
“I’m not just confident because of the fight with Tom, I’m really confident when my preparation is good.
“People look at me and say ‘he’s only had six fights, he’s not experienced’.
“But they would be making a mistake, I’ve fought all over the world in Thai boxing.
“I’ve had 200-plus fights in my career, fought on the road in boxing and fought in places like Argentina in Thai so I’m not fazed by stuff like this.
“Big fights bring out the best in me and I believe there is more to come.”
The title rivals have sparred previously, but Corrie believes there is little to be read into that and believes a more pertinent comparison would be their one mutual opponent, Manchester’s Dale Arrowsmith, who each has outpointed – the Darlington boxer winning 40-36 at the Dolphin Centre 12 months ago and Chad taking a 60-54 shut out back in September at the Eagles Arena.
“I can see Chad has improved,” explained Corrie. “But regards to his record, he’s not really been tested.
“There is only one opponent we’ve both fought, Dale Arrowsmith.
“When Chad fought him, he took a few shots from Dale but Dale ran away from me for four rounds and didn’t want to get hit.”
The Steve Wraith-managed boxer, known as ‘2 Cool’ says his camp has run smoothly and taking to the scales at Friday’s weigh-in at the Antler Bar & Grill in Newcastle will not be a worry.
“It’s been brilliant, everything has been spot on,” he added. “I’ve had my check weigh-in and everything was great.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
