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Former WBO Jr. Welterweight champion DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley, 31-4-1 (17), is in training for another world title challenge on September 15, 2006. DeMarcus was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to grant SaddoBoxing this exclusive interview. He talks about why he is now working with former opponent, Floyd Mayweather Jr’s trainer and uncle, Roger Mayweather, how he has learned from past experiences in the ring, the damage he inflicted on Miguel Cotto when the two fought a couple of years ago, his future plans and much more…
SaddoBoxing: Who are you fighting next?
DeMarcus Corley: “I will be fighting Junior Witter for the WBC Light Welterweight Championship on September 15, 2006 in England.”
SB: You were formerly trained by Bernard Roach, then Andrew Council, and now according to my sources, you are currently being trained by Roger Mayweather. Why was there a change in trainers?
DC: “I view myself as a bird that flies from tree to tree. I am always looking to gain knowledge and wisdom. I learned a lot from Bernard Roach. Andrew Council was his assistant. Then Andrew became my trainer and I learned from him as well. I went down to Vegas to help Floyd Mayweather Jr. prepare for a fight against Sharmba Mitchell. After seeing the way Roger trained his Floyd, I felt that Roger could help me reach the next level.”
SB: Floyd Mayweather Jr. is known as a defensive specialist; rolling his shoulder to evade punches, catching punches with gloves…etc. Now that you are training with Roger Mayweather, how much of that are we going to see incorporated into your fighting style?
DC: “Floyd and I are completely different fighters. What Roger and I are working on is for me to let my hands go and we’re working on defense”
SB: You’re going to England to fight Witter. Are there some concerns regarding not getting a fair decision in your favor if you feel you won the fight?
DC: “I’m the judge, OK. There may be three official judges, but I will judge the fight. I will win this fight by TKO or KO and become the new WBC Light Welterweight Champion of the world.”
SB: Chop Chop, I’ve got to ask you this question…I remember when you fought Cotto in Puerto Rico; there was a point when you hurt him and had him out on his feet and it seemed like you hesitated when you apparently could have knocked Cotto out and won the fight. Why didn’t you go after him when he was hurt?
DC: “Man, everyday I go to the gym and people ask me about that fight. People ask me if I was paid under the table to throw the fight. I know I hurt Cotto, but a hurt fighter is also a dangerous fighter as well. So I had to be cautious. Also the game plan was to take Cotto into the latter rounds because we knew he had a problem making the 140 lb limit, so our plan was to box him. That’s why I didn’t go after him like I should have when he was hurt.”
SB: When they stopped the fight in his favor, do you think it was a premature stoppage?
DC: “100% yes! If you look at the fight when the referee stopped it, he threw like five punches. One hit me in the hip and a muscle tightened. I took a knee to compose myself. Then the referee stopped. If we were on neutral ground when I had him hurt a referee could have given an 8 count to him or even stopped it! Cotto needed the referee to help him beat me. I busted his eardrum in that fight. I was the one who busted his eardrum. I have learned these past two years that from now on when I have my opponent hurt I will finish them.”
SB: How do you compare Cotto to Floyd Mayweather Jr.?
DC: “Cotto is a great fighter, Floyd is an elite fighter. What makes Cotto a great fighter is he is able to finish his opponent when he hurts them. Floyd is just on a different level.”
SB: If you’re successful in your next fight, who do you want to face next?
DC: “I want to do what ever the WBC tells me. I will fight Vivian Harris. After him, I will unify the title. Ricky Hatton will be fighting for the IBF title soon.”
SB: I recently interviewed another junior welterweight. He, like most others in the 140 lb division, say Ricky Hatton is the man to beat. Do you agree?
DC: “The fighter to beat is Ricky Hatton.”
SB: Chop Chop, thanks for taking this time to interview with us. All the best on your upcoming fight.
DC: “You’re welcome.”
Contact: Richmann05@aol.com
