World title contender Gary Corcoran lands British welterweight title shot at champion Bradley Skeete
October 20 slated as the date that British welterweight champion Bradley Skeete (27-2) clashes with challenger Gary Corcoran (18-2) with venue and undercard yet to be announced.
Skeete returns from his second round TKO defeat to Spanish boxer Kerman Lejarraga on April 28 this year as he bid unsuccessfully for the vacant EBU European title, last held by Mohamed Mimoune.
This will be the 30-year-old south Londoner's fourth defence of the Lord Lonsdale belt he won in March 2016 with a unanimous decision over Sam Eggington (17-2) in Birmingham.
Corcoran earned his shot at the British championship when he was due to face Commonwealth Games gold medalist Paddy Gallagher in a final eliminator on June 30 in Belfast but the 'Pat-Man' was forced to withdraw with a broken jaw. Corcoran managed to fight on the same bill still against stand-in opponent Victor Ray Ankrah (8-2), stopping the tough Ghanian in the fifth round of their scheduled eight-rounder.
The pair have been on a collision course for a while as Corcoran hunted down his chance at the British crown ever since his WBO world title loss to Australian Jeff Horn in December 2017.
The 'Hellraiser' talked about his plans for an assault on the British and European welterweight titles as soon as he returned from Brisbane without the WBO belt in his hand luggage, as hoped.
Following his 11th-round stoppage defeat to 'The Hornet' on on December 13 down under, he said, “I’m going to take a month off, 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.”
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 forced the corner to throw in the towel midway through the 11th-round, with the North Londoner still bravely pacing forwards and throwing shots.
The father of one of gypsy heritage also voiced his desire to face Amir Khan, who was sat ringside at his Brisbane fight with Horn.
“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!”
The outspoken fighter has also called out former English champion Johnny Garton and ex-British titleholder Frankie Gavin, claiming he would fight them and Skeete all on the same night!