“Hellraiser” Gary Corcoran is planning an assault on the British and European welterweight titles next year
Returning from Brisbane last week without the WBO world welterweight belt in his hand luggage, as hoped, a disappointed and wounded Gary “Hellraiser” Corcoran (17-2) next plans to regroup and go for British and European honours next year.
“I’m going to take a month off and spend Christmas with my family,” the father of one said. “Then I’d like to look at the British and European titles next year and see where we go from there.
“Then, I’ll build myself back up to world title fights again. And listen to my trainers and learn.”
The 27-year-old’s bid for world title glory ended in the penultimate round against the champion Jeff “The Hornet” Horn (18-0-1) on December 13 in Brisbane.
It was a brave and gutsy challenge from the two-weight WBO Inter-Continental champion from Wembley in hostile territory, but nasty cuts caused by head clashes caused the corner to throw in the towel midway through the 11th-round, with the North Londoner still pacing forwards and throwing shots.
“It was not my best performance, I’ll admit,” Corcoran said on his return from down under. “There’s a lot of things I should have done, I was very tense going into the ring and I kind of froze on that stage.
“I didn’t perform like I had been in sparring and I didn’t bring none of my training into the fight. It wasn’t my best performance, so it’s a big learn for me.”
Pre-fight, trainer Frank Greaves joked about “The Hornet’s” intentional headbutts even donning a specially made baseball cap with a glove attached to the top in the press conference, asking the titlist if he could wear it during the fight.
It transpired that their predictions came true when their 147lbs charge was cut in several places due to head clashes.
“He’s an awkward fighter, he might not mean it, but his head comes in a lot.” Corcoran claimed. “I had six stitches on one eye on a cut that went through the flesh; another cut, I think I had four, and bottom of the eye had paper stitches in – all from head clashes, but what can you do?
“I think he gets away with a lot. Certain things happened and I lost over it, but I wouldn’t mind fighting him again in England, on a level playing field.”
‘I’m a Celebrity…’ contestant Amir Khan was sat ringside at ‘The Battle of Brisbane 2’, rumoured to be back in the ring next March and looking for an opponent in the UK. It’s a fight that could suit the Wembley puncher.
“I’d fancy fighting Khan every day,” Corcoran enthused. “He’s ready for the taking after getting knocked out cold like he did against Canelo. It affects you, a hard knockout like that. He’s still a good fighter but think he’s there to be beat, and I’ll fight him all day. I’ll fight him in a phone box, if he wants it!”
Follow Gary on Twitter @GaryCorcoran21
Gary would like to thank his sponsors 1300 GET RID; Ringside and Agent Tim Rickson