Out to make “another statement”.
That is Ellis Corrie who makes the first defence of the Northern Area welterweight title against Chad Ellis – a Darlington v Spennymoor derby which looks too close to call.
The Co Durham boxers meet in a mouth-watering top-of-the-bill affair at MTK’s show at Newcastle Eagles Community Arena.
Corrie lifted the title only a couple of months back, stopping Redcar’s Tom Hill, who had been fancied by many pundits to prevail at the Phil Jeffries/Steve Wraith event at the Rainton Arena.
Trainer Peter Shepperson had no doubts that night and has no doubts now, though it looks a very competitive fight which could go all the way.
The Darlington coach has seen Corrie grow as a boxer and says the more dangerous the opponent the better his man will perform.
“Ellis has only ever boxed a couple of journeymen, he needs to have that threat there to motivate him,” said Shepperson who has been delighted by their camp.
“He’s probably matured a bit as well, but he’s really dedicated himself.
“It’s the best he’s ever trained and what he produced that night against Tom only scratched the surface, I see what he does all the time in the gym.
“To show how things have moved on, he was nine kilos lighter when he started this camp compared to the camp when he fought Tom.
“Before that [win] I’d never really considered Ellis to be a puncher, but because he’s done his weight right as well as the strength and conditioning then he showed he’s a strong lad and I think he’ll show it again in this one.
“We’re expecting nothing but a hard fight, but we’re expecting Ellis to come out on top again and make another statement.”
Given it is relatively early in his career – this is only the 22-year-old’s seventh bout – there is an element of Corrie proving that success over Hill was no flash in the pan especially with ambitions of moving up a level after this weekend.
“Ellis is totally focused on Chad, he knows he can’t afford to slip up,”Shepperson told punch-lines.
“He made a big statement last time, so now he needs to prove it wasn’t a one-off.”
Corrie has won four and drawn one in a six-fight career while Ellis has clocked up nine straight wins and looks in fine fettle after a hat-trick of good performances in 2019.
The title rivals weigh in today at 2pm at the Antler bar & grill in Newcastle. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
