Atlantic City, NJ - DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley came into the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall boxing ring sporting army fatigues and a gas mask. Soon after the opening bell against 2-time World Champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. it become quite apparent that Corley would need much more defensive weaponry to combat all the artillery in Mayweather's arsenal.
Mayweather, fighting for the first time at the higher 140lb weight level, brilliantly showcased all his extraordinary talents: power punching, a devastating body attack, the ability to take a punch and a super-slick, elusive defense, to go along with his unparalleled hand speed, true championship heart and an unsatiable desire to be boxing's absolute best.
"When Zab (Judah) lost to Cory Spinks, right after, I went out and ran & trained, when Roy (Jones) just lost, I ran & trained," stated the 27 year old Mayweather, "I don't want to get knocked off the block, I'm the best out there, the best pound-for-pound."
In front of the 6,103 fans in attendance at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, Mayweather, now 32-0 (21 KO's), dominated the former World Champion Corley enroute to a 12 round unanimous decision victory, which was also broadcast live on HBO.
The gritty and determined Corley (28-3-1, 16 KO's) came to fight in this WBC Super Lightweight title eliminator bout and his warrior-like performance, though admirable, wasn't close to enough against boxing's most talented fighter and brightest star. Aside from an award winning "best round of the year"-type 4th round, Chop Chop was unable to neutralize Mayweather's hand speed and was hurt & staggered often. Suffering knockdowns in the 8th and 10th rounds, Corley also made five other trips to the canvas-which referee Benji Esteves ruled as either push-downs or slips. Corley did have his moments in rounds 3 and 4, and at times did slow Mayweather down - as well as test Floyd's self-assessed "granite chin."
By fight's end Corley was bleeding from his nose, bleeding from his mouth and had suffered cuts over and under his right eye - unfortunate badges of honor and courage which will serve as a testament to his heart & desire.
Credit must be given to DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley as he is a tough, good fighter - really good.
Mayweather is a tough, great fighter - really great!
With Mayweather's move up into the talent rich 140lb weight class brought the question of - what's next?
"I'm ready for Pay-Per-View. I show fans I can fight, toe-to-toe battling, that's what sells tickets," exclaimed Mayweather, who with this victory set himself up for the winner of the Arturo Gatti/Leonard Dorin July 24th war, also being held at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall arena. "I've been chasing Gatti for years," lamented Mayweather, " I'd also like Cory (Spinks). Spadafora had his chance - I can fight anybody, southpaws, anybody!"
Up until now tabbed as "Pretty Boy", Floyd now realizes with this jump in weight his "game" must move up as well, hence: "Flamboyant Floyd" Mayweather Jr.
On the Top Rank boxing undercard.....
Philadelphia's highly regarded super welterweight prospect Anthony "The Messenger" Thompson (16-1, 12 KO's) returned to his winning ways with a commanding eight round unanimous decision victory over a willing and dangerous Jason Naugler (8-3, 5 KO's) from Canada. "I felt this was my finest performance tonight against a solid opponent. I was patient and fought an intelligent fight" stated the likable Thompson.
Jersey City middleweight Dennis Sharpe stayed unbeaten (17-0-1, 5 KO's) against an over-matched Earl Allen, who fell to 12-20-2 (1 KO). Sharpe battered the Charleston, SC native Allen from the onset until referee Wayne Hedgebeth mercifully stopped the one-sided contest at 2:45 of round four. The only questions from this mismatch were how come it took referee Hedgebeth so long before finally stepping in (?), and why Sharpe couldn't put away the non-threatening, yet gutsy, Allen?
Welterweight Art Medina (12-11, 5 KO's) traveled from Denver, CO to pick up a victory over West Milford's Scott DePompe (25-4, 10 KO's). Medina dropped DePompe in round three and administered enough damage to the one-time NJ prospect (cut and badly swollen left eye) to have the bout stopped, at the advice of the ringside physician, at the end of round four. It was nice to see Joe Gatti back in the ring - on the other side of the ropes, serving as DePompe's trainer.
Victor Paz (4-0) took a four round unanimous decision victory over Karim Shabbazz (0-3) in a battle of New York light heavyweights.
After a stellar amateur career Carney Bowman lll made his pro debut a successful one with a four round unanimous decision win over Ohio native David Maund.
In the walk out bout of the evening undefeated super lightweight hopeful Dmitriy Salita (18-0, 11 KO's) pounded out an eight round unanimous decision victory over seasoned veteran Rocky Martinez, now 40-11-1 with 20 Ko's.
A good night of boxing from Top Rank Promotions, in association with Bally's Atlantic City and Caesar's Atlantic City which will only have the frenzied fight fans coming back for more.
On July 24th Main Events Promotions, in association with DiBella Entertainment & Interbox, hosted by Bally's Atlantic City and Caesar's Atlantic City features WBC Super Lightweight Champion Arturo Gatti taking on # 1 contender Leonard Dorin. The co-feature pits Francisco "Panchito" Bojado to battle the rugged vteran "Jesse" James Leija.
For ticket information contact TicketMaster by calling 1(800)736-1420 or by visiting http://www.ticketmaster.com/.
