Wednesday, July 09, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Corley focuses on fight, not brawl

Says news conference altercation will not alter his plan in ring

By ROYCE FEOUR
REVIEW-JOURNAL

DeMarcus Corley, working out with trainer Bernard Roach, will fight Zab Judah on the undercard of the Ricardo Mayorga-Vernon Forrest welterweight title fight Saturday at the Orleans Arena. Photo by John Gurzinski.

Though still upset over an altercation 3 1/2 months ago, DeMarcus Corley said he wouldn't let his emotions get in the way of his fight plan Saturday night against Zab Judah.

The two will square off in a 12-round junior welterweight fight on the undercard of the Ricardo Mayorga-Vernon Forrest welterweight title fight at the Orleans Arena.

When they met March 29 -- at a Philadelphia news conference following Bernard Hopkins' victory over Morrade Hakkar -- Judah hit Corley in the face with a left hook.

Corley said he thinks Judah, a former IBF junior welterweight champion, was reacting to a taunt Corley had made.

"Me saying 'I'll destroy you' -- he was just fired up," Corley said. "I don't think he would have done it if his father (trainer Yoel Judah) had been there. If his father was there, it would never have happened like that.

"I am not carrying it into the fight. (But) I do have a grudge."

The blow was a "sucker punch," Corley said, but didn't draw any blood.

"He can't punch," Corley said with a laugh.

A Corley-Judah bout has been speculated about in boxing circles since they were amateur stars and competed in the 1995 national Golden Gloves Tournament. Judah lost to Chantel Stanciel in the semifinals, and Corley later defeated Stanciel for the title.

"I always knew we would fight against each other," said Corley, who will defend his WBO belt Saturday.

Corley, 29, won the title by stopping Felix Flores in the first round two years ago at Mandalay Bay.

Corley (28-1-1) and Judah (28-1) are left-handers.

"I think he'll come out and try to box, figure me out," Corley said. "He thinks I'll come right at him. It is not going to be that way."

He said his best weapons against Judah will be his right hook and uppercuts.

"The main thing is to keep him backing up," Corley said. "I have to watch out for those wild uppercuts he throws. I am ready for everything he brings to the table. I see (the pace of the fight) progressing round by round. It should end by the seventh round from the pressure."

Judah, 25, is easily the toughest opponent of Corley's seven-year professional career. Judah was a minus-285 favorite Tuesday at the Orleans sports book.

"It's like a dream," Corley said. "I haven't woke up yet; I won't until I win another belt. I'm striving to become (undisputed) champion."

Corley said he hopes a victory over Judah will set up a bout against Kostya Tszyu, widely considered the world champion at 140 pounds. Tszyu already has a fight planned against Sharmba Mitchell, probably early next year.

Another possibility, Corley said, is a title fight against Souleymane M'Baye if he upsets WBA champion Vivian Harris on Saturday on the same card.

The eight-bout card is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.