When Dexter ‘The Cobra’ Gonsalves faces DeMarcus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley on Saturday, he will meet his first former world titlist.
It is an important stepping stone for the local lightweight prize fighter.
Gonsalves (7-1-2) is keen to test himself against the wily veteran (46-27-1, 26 KO’s) at home on the ‘Bad Intentions’ card at the Giftland Mall.
The pair will headline the mega event for the WBC FECARBOX lightweight crown.
“I’m happy with this kind of opportunity because this is the way to know that a southpaw is not a problem to overcome in becoming a world champion,” Gonsalves told Stabroek Sport yesterday “I’m always thinking about fighting the best out there.”
With a victory, the 24-year-old, who is co-promoted by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control and is trained by Sebert Blake would be ranked #15 in the world by the WBC at 135 pounds. Blake says Corley brings experience and will be an interesting opponent for his fighter despite being 42 years old.
He pointed out the recent upset wins the former WBO junior welterweight titlist has on the road, that snapped a four-fight losing streak.
“Corley is far from been a finished boxer,” opined Blake. “This year he just put a KO to Denmark’s rising star Osama Hadifi and, after that, he won the Contender Series in Jamaica.”
“He has been an active boxer since his debut in 1996 and, from there, he has fought the best boxers in the world, becoming world champion from 2001 to 2003, so we are talking about a very experienced boxer, who has fought a lot of prospects this year, and beaten them.
“’Chop Chop’ is very dangerous for anybody, plus he is a left-hander. If Dexter wants to beat him, he will have to bring out the best of himself and then we will see what Dexter is made out of.”
Bell time is 20:00hrs.
