RIGHT HOOK CORBETT

THE RIGHT APRIL 2020 HOOK ISSUE NO.1 Ulster Boxing E-Magazine CORBETT COULDN'T HALF PUNCH Insider Interview with Darren Corbett The Right Hook: Ulster's Boxing E-Mag Editor / Publisher Sherman E Wright

1 Corbett Couldn't Half Punch If any local boxing historian looks back over the years to find out who was the one of the hardest, if not thee hardest punchers in the history of Ulster boxing, both amateur or professional, then the man that leaves Darren Corbett out of the equation needs to go to specsavers. From the moment that Darren Corbett knocked out Willy Clyde in the Ulster seniors super- heavyweight final in the Ulster Hall in 1994, with what can only be described as one of the most devastating knock-outs ever witnessed in Ulster boxing history. it was certain that the Belfast man would make local fans happy and satisfied they paid for their seats when he eventually turned professional. Darren Corbett, in his amateur days was renowned for being literally \"Lethal\" when it came to adding a spark to the shows he would fight on. On many a night his raw power to be able to knock-out opponent after opponent was the talk of all of Ulster. Corbett, a gentleman in and out of the ring, a family man, simply lived for the fight game. Ever since he was a young boy he dreamed of becoming a professional boxer. Darren represented Ireland as an amateur on many occasions such was his superiority on the Island at his weight, which fluctuated between Light-Heavy , Cruiser and Heavyweight. On turning professional, Corbett then won his first title belt, the vacant Irish cruiserweight title, in November 1996 with 5th round knockout win over Dubliner  Ray Kane in a packed out Ulster Hall in Belfast. After successfully defending that title against Nigel Rafferty and Noel Magee, Corbett then went on to land the Commonwealth cruiserweight championship with a win over the then- undefeated  Chris Okoh. Corbett successfully defended that belt against another undefeated fighter Robert Norton. The above pic shows the delight in the corner alongside Darren who simply is ecstatic and winning the Commonwealth title. (Pic Credit: Irish News).

2  Corbett then added the IBO (International Boxing Organisation) Inter-Continental Cruiserweight Championship. Corbett, sadly then lost his Commonwealth Championship by 10th Round TKO in a unification fight with British Champion Bruce Scott on 28 November 1998. (Pic Credit: Irish News) In March 1999, Corbett's next fight saw him also lose his IBO Inter-Continental Championship to a relative novice in Stephane Allouane, but he then bounced back later that year by defeating future British & Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Champion  Neil Simpson  to win the IBO Inter-Continental Light-Heavyweight Title, a belt he never lost in the ring.

3 Corbett retired from the sport in 2004 but made his comeback in 2008 with a 6-rounds points win in Dublin. On 19 May 2009 he competed in the first cruiserweight instalment of the 'Prizefighter' series, defeating the former Southern Area Heavyweight Champion Micky Steeds on a 3-round points decision in the quarter-finals before losing on a 2nd-Round stoppage to the unfancied Ovill McKenzie in the semi-finals. Corbett cueing up for the hook He returned a year later for the second cruiserweight instalment of the 'Prizefighter' series. Again he won his first bout, this time against John Anthony, but he suffered a shock points defeat in the semi-final to journeyman Nick Okoth, who had record of 8-27-5 going into the bout. Okoth started the tournament as a reserve and only came into the tournament after an injury to  Herbie Hide.Corbett returned in April 2012, losing over 6 rounds to Michael Sweeney.  Throughout Darren Corbett's boxing career, both amateur and professional, one thing was always guaranteed. When you seen that Darren's name was on the bill, you knew that when you paid your money for your seat that you were destined for entertainment. \"The Raging Bull\" was one of the fighters who entertained when everything went right on the night. Corbett left behind him a trail of some of the most accurate and devastating knock-outs that Ulster boxing has ever witnessed. Darren explained to me when I asked him recently about his days in boxing, he said \"I loved fighting and hearing the roar from the great support I had all them years ago.\"

4 Darren also went on to state \"I was so thankful for the talent I had and I feel I was given a gift from God. I also will never forget the times when I was training and thoroughly enjoying the moments that all came along with that.\" I also asked Darren about the memories, he has from his time in the game, he replied \"The making of friends for life and the respect that was given to me by my coaches and what not, they are moments that I treasure and will always treasure for a lifetime. No one can ever take the memories away from me.\" Darren \"The Raging Bull\" Corbett, a knock out specialist, gathered a professional record of F35 W29 KO's16 L8.  Two pictures that tell a great tale of a man, who in the end, has one love now, the one love that overruled any love he ever had for boxing, the love of his family. Darren, a gentleman and a dedicated family man always said even shortly after his retirement back in 2012, that \"I will always be forever thankful that myself and no one else ever got badly hurt during my time in the game.\" Darren Corbett goes down in history as a highly respected and explosive boxer who on many a night simply turned lights out faster than any made could touch the switch. With Darren Corbett, you were guaranteed entertainment each and every time. Many thanks to Darren Corbett for his outstanding co-operation in participation